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For the quarter ending 1st October 1897, the gas bill from the Barnstaple Gas Company to St Mary's Church, Pilton, was 11 shillings and 9 pence (equivalent in decimal coinage to almost £0.59p). That was made up of 2 shillings meter rental and 9 shillings and ninepence for 2,600 cubic feet of gas (74 cubic metres). However, the value of that inflated to today is about £60. At the time gas would probably have been used for both heating and lighting, although electric lighting was growing in popularity.

Thanks to Shaun Winfield for donating this gas bill. If anyone knows when Pilton Church went electric we would love to know.