Orrisdale Primitive Chapel in Kirk Michael has been a place of worship for many a Manxman since it was established in 1843.

The chapel was built by Patrick Cannell, only 20 years after Primitive Methodism had first come to the Isle of Man.

The land and materials were donated, and it was built by volunteers, before it was then sold to the methodists for £1.

Pauline Brew, a descendant of Patrick Cannell, described the chapel as ’non-denominational Christian’.

She said: ’It’s based on Christianity, but it’s not any denomination - all are welcome.

’It’s one of the primitive methodist chapels, and they’re fast disappearing.

’They’re just not viable for the methodists to keep them going.

’The congregation of Orrisdale got very advanced in years and they couldn’t look after it anymore.’

The quaint chapel closed its doors in 2017, when it was then returned to the Cannell family - as stipulated in the original sale agreement - who have been trying ever since to restore it to its former glory.

It officially reopened last year, with a traditional candle-lit Christmas service, which they celebrated again last week.

It’s one of four services they are going to hold every year - at Christmas, Easter, the anniversary and harvest.

In between, the chapel is open for celebrations such as weddings, and fundraising efforts.

The candlelit service consisted of ’carols, Manx banter, a fiddler, a poet, singers and supper’.

It was overseen by Judith Ley, who preached to the small congregation who had gathered.

On the chapel, Mrs Brew said: ’People come in and they say "hasn’t it been well preserved" - actually, we have restored it to what it was originally.

’We are very careful to restore it, and people just love the building.’

All the funds raised by the family go into restoring the chapel and its upkeep.

l You can read more about their fundraising efforts, and events held at the chapel such as the wedding at the Facebook page ’Orrisdale Old Chapel Events’, and call or text 07624 492330 for bookings.