Cameron Estate Methodist Chapel was created on an ex-military camp on St Agnes Headland. This profile has been compiled by Clive Benney and Tony Mansell.
Following the abandonment of the military camp on St Agnes headland at the end of the Second World War many servicemen and local families occupied the empty buildings. Faced with the problem of where to re-house them the local authority took a pragmatic view and recognised the families as council tenants.
Once the civilian community was established both the Anglicans and the Methodists became involved. The Revd Joe Ridholls asked Councillor Eddie Tredinnick if a suitable building could be found for a Methodist chapel and was given the keys to an old store. It needed a lot of work but with the help of Albert Reynolds and Jimmy Olds a place of worship was created.
Regular services began and the Revd Joe Ridholls, assisted by Marlene Ball (née Skewes), Bill Morrison and Bernard Jones, established a Sunday school. Joe also started a youth club in the old NAAFI; this was eventually linked to the YMCA network.
In 1962, when the Revd Joe Ridholls left the parish, the Chapel became an outpost of the Salvation Army.
Cameron Housing Estate (Photo: Courtesy Clive Benney)
very interesting read!