Mapping Methodism – Coverack “Little Ship” Bible Christian Chapel

Coverack is a coastal village and fishing port in Cornwall, UK. It lies in the parish of St Keverne, on the east side of the Lizard peninsula about nine miles south of Falmouth. This profile of Coverack “Little Ship” Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Terry Moyle.

 

Built 1880

Capacity 60

Thatched roof

Cob walls

Wooden seats on ground floor

Small gallery with fixed pews at the back facing the pulpit

1868 BC Preaching Plan – Sunday evening service and Wednesday evening service

1878 BC Preaching Plan – Sunday afternoon and evening service and Monday evening service

1891 Guide to Coverack – two Sunday services and fortnightly weekday service

1892 – renovation costing £21.00. Renovation – the front of the chapel cemented, the old – fashioned pulpit replaced by a rostrum, free seats with backs installed and a new centre lamp fixed (Cornishman 6 February 1892)

Rev. John Tremelling – popular and eloquent minister at Coverack

42 baptisms 1838 -1900. Early baptisms at Coverack Meeting House/Preaching House (location unknown) – first one recorded in 1850. Family names associated with baptisms include Champion, Eustice, Cruze, Bowden, Hocking, Pengilly, Bastian, Barker, Trewin and Richards

Congregation drawn largely from farming families in the district

Some village children attended both chapels in Coverack (Little Ship and Wesleyan) and this entitled them to two Sunday School prizes and tea treats

Closed 1935

Members joined Coverack Wesleyan

At closure £20 donated to Coverack Wesleyan chapel towards the cost of installing electric light and the Communion set given to St. Keverne Wesleyan chapel.

Dwelling

The total cost of converting the chapel to a dwelling was £103- 2s-10d, almost double the cost of the property! The work was carried out by T.C.Roskilly of Coverack (Tom Coad Roskilly) – builder, carpenter and undertaker.

1950s photograph

1970s pen & ink drawing

A small number of villagers attended both chapels especially at revival times – several local ladies were known for wearing “revival” hats so that, when invited to come forward, they could show off their hats and finery to others.