Mapping Methodism – Balnoon (Vorvas) Primitive Methodist Chapel

Balnoon was, at an earlier time, known as ‘Ballanoon’, which means mine on the down (bal an un). In 1852 Balnoon mine was predicted to be one of the most promising mines in the Penzance district for 1853, along with West Ding Dong and Speedwell. The OS map surveyed 1877; published 1886 below shows its position to be on the coach road from Lelant to the B3311 Nancledra to Halsetown road. This profile of Balnoon Primitive Chapel Old Coach Road, St Ives. TR26 3JB has been compiled by Val Thomas of St Ives Old Cornwall Society.

The Primitive Chapel

The Primitive Methodists were a major offshoot of the principal stream of Methodism – the Wesleyan Methodists – in 19^th century Britain. A Methodist preacher called Hugh Bourne became the catalyst for a breakaway. Primitives focussed attention on the role of lay people and stressed simplicity in their chapels and in their worship. The Primitives concentrated their mission on the rural poor.

1861: In the census there are 17 houses listed in Balnoon with 98 inhabitants. Only 2 homes are headed by people not involved directly in mining.

1872: The “Royal Cornwall Gazette” on Saturday morning June 1^st reported: ‘BALNOON PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL: On Sunday anniversary services were preached by the Rev. J. H. Best and the Rev. S. J. Southwood.’

(Royal Cornwall Gazette Saturday 9^th March 1872)

1877: On November 2^nd it was reported that the Primitive Methodist Chapel St Ives had held a service on Saturday evening last and the Rev Thomas Scott Brown, of St Day, delivered an eloquent lecture, entitled “The Captive Maid2”. A collection was made on behalf of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Balnoon.

1879: The “Cornish Telegraph”, on Tuesday evening January 7^th reported: ‘PRIMITIVE METHODIST – An entertainment in aid of the Balnoon chapel-fund was given in the Primitive Methodist Chapel on Friday evening’.

1882: The “Cornish Telegraph”, Feb 16^th says: ‘PRIMITIVE METHODISM – The annual missionary sermons were preached at the following places, on Sunday, Feb 5^th at St Ives…; Nancledra…;Trevalgan and Balnoon, by the Rev F. Shergold and Mr T. Martin. … On Friday at Balnoon, the attendance was small, but the powerful and instructive addresses of the Revs. F. Shergold and J. Gregory (Bible Christian) were greatly appreciated.’

1883: “Kelly’s” Cornwall. St Ives: ‘The Primitive Methodist Chapel in Fore Street erected in 1831, has 800 sittings, and there are smaller chapels at Barnoon and Trevalgen’.

There is no mention of the chapel on this 1908 OS map

Balnoon Chapel ruin (Photo courtesy of St Ives Museum: David Allan collection)

1949: The “Cornishman” newspaper of the September 22^nd advertised the site of the modern house. It consisted of 7.691 acres. There is no mention of a ruined chapel.

2017: The ruins of the chapel can just be seen in the back of these promotional photographs for the Balnoon Inn, which was originally known as Curlews.

These images have been taken from the internet. Yvonne de Prouw uploaded the front door image. Donna Howe uploaded the image taken inside.

These four images were taken by Jez Kemp on January 29^th 2021. Without its ivy covering it is easy to see that stone and a lintel have been removed at some point of time.