East Budleigh's Salem Chapel was built in 1719 and enlarged by the addition of further galleries in 1836. In the 1980s it was bought by a private owner who failed to gain support for his plans. The building then fell into disrepair. The Historic Chapels Trust visited it in 1996 and acquired its ownership in 1998.It is reputed that during the 18th and 19th centuries the chapel was involved with smuggling, involving its minister Samuel Leat, the smuggled goods being concealed in the chapel's large roof space
