Mapping Methodism – Tregavethan (Mount Horam) Primitive Methodist Chapel

Tregavethan is a hamlet in Kenwyn Parish. It is located to the north of the Truro to St Agnes road and its chapel no longer exists. This profile of Mount Horam Primitive Methodist Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

The First Chapel

From the site of St Marys ancient chapel, Tregavethan, carry on down this hill and take a right just after the stream, back towards the A390. Passing Trevaskas on the right you come to an old crossroads. Taking a left turn here (the gate is usually shut) and then a left on old tracks towards Little Regarded, would have led you to a Primitive Methodist Chapel, marked only on very early maps with the site in the corner of a field. (Jo Lewis)

Symons records a Primitive Methodist chapel on the South side in a field (1884). (Jo Lewis)

This building is still present on 1887 maps but gone by 1907 and no further history can be found.  This may possibly have been the precursor to the second Primitive Methodist Chapel (also marked on 1880 maps) which is north of the road (see later) (Jo Lewis)

The gate from the road blocking the access (Photo: Jo Lewis)

 

The Second Chapel

1877 – 31^st December: Agreement, new chapel, Mount Horam Primitive Methodist Chapel, Tregavethan, Kenwyn. Agreement between chapel trustees and representatives of St Day Primitive Methodist circuit that chapel ‘now in course of erection’ will be for Primitive Methodist use. (Kresen Kernow MRT/742)

December 1877: Archived documents exist for agreement between chapel trustees and representatives of St Day Primitive Methodist circuit that chapel ‘now in course of erection’ will be for Primitive Methodist use.

1877: Mount Horam Primitive Methodist chapel built. (http://churches-uk-ireland.org/cornwall.html)

Seating capacity 140. (Ceased to meet – David Easton)

1882: “Revival services have been held during the past week in the Mount Horam Primitive Methodist Chapel by Mr Richard Richards, of Penryn, generally known by the name of ‘Happy Dick’. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Friday 09 June 1882)

1887: Chapel renovated: (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 16 September 1887)

1902: “The attendance at the Primitive Methodist Mount Horam Chapel, near Chacewater, has greatly fallen off of late, and the same remark applies to the Sunday school, the annual treat of which was recently held. (Royal Cornwall Gazette 31^st July 1902)

1904 – 24^th June: Lease, site of Mount Horam Primitive Methodist Chapel, Tregavethan, Kenwyn. Parties: 1) William Foxwell, of 1836 Washington Street, Lincoln, USA, 2) Thomas Northcott, auctioneer, Trewindles, Wadebridge. Plot of land on north of road from Tregavethan to Truro, with chapel thereon. Term: 99 years. Rent: 2 shillings 6 pence. Includes plan of site. (Kresen Kernow MRT/743)

1917: Memorandum of appointment, new trustees, Mount Horam Primitive Methodist Chapel, Tregavethan, Kenwyn (Kresen Kernow MRT/746)

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

1932: Became Mount Horam Methodist Church, part of St Day Primitive Methodist Circuit.

1941: An organ, purchased from Lannarth Church, and installed in Mount Horam Methodist Chapel, Truro, was formally opened on Saturday by Mrs. E. Martin, of Chacewater (a former member of the chapel), and dedicated by Rev. J. Hill Williams (Chacewater). Others taking part were Revs. W. H. Greening (vicar of Lanner), R. R. Greenslade (superintendent minister), and Capt. T. Gribble (circuit steward). (Cornishman – Thursday 23 October 1941)

1949: Declaration, new model deed, Mount Horam Methodist Church, Tregavethan, Kenwyn (Kresen Kernow MRT/747)

1960: Closed: (Ceased to meet – David Easton)

Circa 1961: Closed. (http://churches-uk-ireland.org/cornwall.html)

1961: Correspondence 1949-1961), Mount Horam Methodist Church, Tregavethan, Kenwyn (Kresen Kernow MRT/748)

1961: Minister’s correspondence about trust affairs (1877-c1961). (Kresen Kernow MRT/748)

1963: Still marked on maps.

1971: Building still present.

Demolished. (Ceased to meet – David Easton)

It is now a wooded area with the Airfield behind it.

Kresen Kernow records the existence of a Mission Church in Tregavethan with records from

1910 – 1959. There are no other buildings marked on maps and I wonder if this was part of this Church. (Jo Lewis)

The area of the second chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)