Mapping Methodism – Goonhavern Bible Christian Chapel

Goonhavern is a village in north Cornwall on the A3075 Newquay to Chiverton Cross road, about two miles east of Perranporth. This profile of Goonhavern Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Tony Mansell.

All the photographs in this profile have been provided by Derek Brooks of Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society

It is suggested that the Sunday school may have been an earlier chapel.

1874 – 13^th May: Building specification, Goonhavern Bible Christian Chapel, Perranzabuloe.

Specification of sundry works to be done in building Goonhavern Bible Christian Chapel, according to the accompanying drawings [not present]. 11 pages. Signed by T H Robins, John Hoskin, John Jenkin and E Veale. (Kresen Kernow: MRN/966)

1874: Goonhavern Bible Christian Chapel built. (http://churches-uk-ireland.org/cornwall.html)

1875: Goonhavern Bible Christian Chapel opened. (http://churches-uk-ireland.org/cornwall.html)

1875: Typescript notes, Chapel opening, Goonhavern Bible Christian Chapel, Perranzabuloe.

Notes from the Bodmin Bible Christian District Meeting minutes of 23-24 June 1875 at Mevagissey. (Kresen Kernow MRN/967)

1900: “Goonhavern Chapel has been closed for several weeks for renovation. The re-opening services were held on Friday and Saturday, the Revs. W. L. Gibbs of St. Austell, and J. Dudley, of Truro, preaching. A public meeting, under the presidency of Mr Alderman E. Roberts, of Truro was addressed by the Revs. W. L. Gibbs, J. Dudley, and V. H. Gulliford. The Pastor, the Rev J. A. Dobson, reported that exclusive of free labour, valued at £10, the cost of renovation exceeded £140 … The Rev. V. H. Culliford (Falmouth) was the architect.” (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 25 May 1900)

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

1907: Name changed to Goonhavern United Methodist Chapel.

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

1932: Name changed to Goonhavern Methodist Chapel.

1976 – 7^th June: Letter, Thomas Shaw, chapel history, Goonhavern Methodist Church, Perranzabuloe. Letter from The Reverend Thomas Shaw, the Manse, Fair Street, St Columb to Miss White to accompany MRN/967 with other historical notes on Goonhavern Chapel (Kresen Kernow MRN/968)

1994 – 28^th Jan: Estimate, floor repairs, Goonhavern Methodist Church, Perranzabuloe.

Estimate from John Nicholls builders, Penrose Farm, Goonhavern, for floor repairs, Chapel and Sunday School. (Kresen Kernow: MRN/972)

Goonhavern Methodist Chapel & Sunday School Circa 1998

Goonhavern Methodist Chapel Circa 1998

Goonhavern Methodist Chapel interior – 2006

2006: Goonhavern Methodist Chapel closed. (http://churches-uk-ireland.org/cornwall.html)

“Late C19 Bible Christian chapel with attached Sunday school that is probably the earlier chapel, also an attached traphouse. Circa 1870s (shown on 1880 OS map). Coursed rubble with polychrome brick dressings. The chapel is an interesting late example in the classical style with a 3-bay front, original horned sashes with fanlight heads, impost strings, hoodmoulds and bracketed brick pediment cornice. Simple Sunday school building at rear has 3 sash windows to each side wall. Rubble forecourt wall with chamfered and cross-braced wooden gate.” (Cornwall Council Interactive Map)