Mapping Methodism – Truro Methodist New Connexion Chapel

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This profile of Truro Methodist New Connexion Chapel has been compiled by Tony Mansell.

 

1833: Truro class leaders James Saul & William Scott were expelled by the Wesleyans and about 70 members left with them.

 

Quay Street Meeting House

Initially met in a rented cellar in Quay Street.

 

1834 Chapel

Acquired a piece of land in Castle Street.

1833/34: Methodist New Connexion invited to open a society in Truro.

Site of Methodist New Connexion chapel. Built 1834, had rendered front of three bays with paired pillasters and a pediment. Traces of a former communion area remained behind the rostrum. Sunday school adjacent. Demolished 1988. Listed in Stell (b1). (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

1834 – February/March: The first stone of the Ebenezer Chapel laid “in the moor near the leat”.

1834: Build date. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

Built as a Methodist New Connexion chapel. (SWChurches)

Ebenezer Chapel in Castle Street

1834: “On Friday next, as will be seen, by advertisement in a subsequent column, the new Chapel erected in Castle Street, for the use of the Seceders from the Wesleyan Methodist Society in this town, will be opened for public Worship…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Saturday 14 June 1834)

1834: “Methodist New Connexion: On Friday, 20th June Inst. will be opened the new chapel, erected by the people of the above denomination, at Castle Street, Truro…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Saturday 14 June 1834)

1837: Ebenezer Chapel enlarged.

1838: Ebenezer Chapel re-opened.

1848/49: Loss of members to emigration.

1857: The Rev. William Booth visited Truro and held a revival meeting in Ebenezer Chapel and the membership began to increase again. (West Briton 12 June 1913)

1858: Ebenezer Chapel enlarged.

1861: William Booth resigned from the Methodist New Connexion movement.

1884: “TRURO METHODIST NEW CONNEXION CHAPEL. The worshippers at this chapel have been celebrating their jubilee year by the expenditure of several hundred pounds, in carrying out important repairs and improvements to the building. The old and uncomfortable seats in the body of the chapel have been taken away, to give place to others of more modern design; a rostrum has been erected in substitution for the old pulpit; the building has been new roofed; the whole of the interior has under- gone a complete transformation ; and last, but not least, the organ has been practically converted into a new instrument, by Messrs. Brewer and Co… The cost of the alterations will, it is estimated, be at least £420, towards which £211 has been promised by the members of the congregation, and £42 by the outside public, leaving £161 more to be raised. It may be stated that within the last twelve years the Methodist New Connexion Society at Truro have paid off £500 of the chapel debt and raised and spent on the trust estate about £1,070, making a total of £1,570, to which has been added the cost of the present alterations, and which, when paid, will bring the amount up to £2,000. After being closed for several weeks the chapel was re-opened on Sunday…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Friday 05 December 1884)

1898: Schoolroom added.

9 Jul 1898: Programme, laying of corner stones, Methodist New Connexion Sunday School, Truro. Printed programme for laying of corner stones of the new Methodist New Connexion Sunday School at Truro. (Kresen Kernow X640/1)

1907: The Methodist New Connexion, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Churches amalgamated to become the United Methodist Church.

1907: Became Castle Street United Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.

1932: Became Castle Street Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

Part of Truro United Methodist Circuit. (SWChurches)

1940: Seating for 550. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

Between 1946 and 1950: The Chapel closed.

Between 1952 and 1961: Chapel and schoolroom premises sold. (SWChurches)

Became W H Cornish sale room.

 

 

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