THE National Trust has been given the keys to Tivington Chapel after the building was officially handed over as a gift from Selworthy Parochial Church Council.
Negotiations over the transfer have been on-going since 1997 when the SPPC decided that it could not afford to maintain the 15th century chapel.
A ceremony was held at the chapel as representatives from both sides met with the Rev Robin Mann for switch of ownership last week.
The Grade II listed building is the only thatched chapel in the diocese of Bath and Wells and, unusually, also has a fireplace.
Communications officer for the Holnicote estate Sylvia Thwaites told the Free Press: "The transfer went ahead after Selworthy PCC felt that it could not justify maintaining three places of worship in the area.
"The chapel could have been sold to a third party but, after many years of negotiations, it was given to the trust as a gift."
Pictured from the left are Alistair Finlinson of Selworthy PCC, the Rev Mann and John Carslake representing the National Trust.
Photo: Steve Guscott