Mapping Methodism – Coldharbour, Towednack, Wesleyan Chapel
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Towednack is a hamlet which has a church and had a chapel nearby which is called Towednack Wesleyan but was actually located at Coldharbour which is at a fork in the road to Towednack. In the 1868 Lake’s Parochial History it is called ‘Coldharbour Moor’. Towednack is a parish whose inhabitants were chiefly engaged in mining and agriculture. The Wesleyans had four chapels in the parish and the Teetotal Methodists’ one. This profile of Coldharbour Wesleyan Chapel, Towednack, has been compiled by Val Thomas. St Ives Old Cornwall Society.
These images are from the David Allan collection at St Ives Museum
Towednack – back of chapel
Towednack interior
The census shows 1 family living at Coldharbour in 1841. (I wonder if the Wilfred John Hollow is the one referred to by Jean Nankervis of Wicca as being a preacher at the chapel?)
1843 or 1845 Coldharbour Wesleyan chapel opened.
1851 There are two chapels in the 1851 returns. One was founded in 1830 and had seats for 80. This is the Georgia Primitive Methodist chapel. The other one, Coldharbour, was founded in 1843 and had seats for 202. William Burgess was the minister for both. (I don’t quite understand this – unless there were two Wesleyan chapels, one of which I have not identified). The Primitive chapel had an organ while the Wesleyan had a Harmonium.
1873 The survey reports 200 seats at Coldharbour chapel.
1880 March 10th ‘The Cornish Telegraph’ reported that a very pleasant evening had been spent at the Towednack Wesleyan Chapel when the Zennor Choir gave a service of song. Mrs Thomas presided at the harmonium.
This extract from a newspaper is from a Towednack ‘local’ who is complaining about the number of places of worship in the area. It is written in dialect!
(The Cornish Telegraph Thursday 2nd March 1882)
“Dear Sir, – Just a line to let you know that we are getting on well up here in ‘Conker Downs’. (Carnequidden Downs) We have cold weather sometimes but it passes over quickly. The daily post is a great convenience to us, for lots more letters come and go from the parish now than they used to. As for the Cornish Telegraph, that sells in dozens and I won’t tell a lie when I say more are being bought every day. Success, Sir to the Liberal ideas they advocate. I suppose you have heard that we have a new sect up here. They are called the Plymouth Brethren I reckon. But I don’t know why they need to be here. Within two or three miles we we’ve got – let me see- why ten or a dozen chapels and churches. We’ve got Methodists, Bryanites, Primitives and Church people as well as nondescripts: so I don’t know why we need any more. At Nancledra there’s a Methodist chapel, a great big one: in Lady Downs there’s two chapels in a place not big enough for one. Now, sir, I don’t believe in such things myself: I call it all needless? of difficulties and sects. If the Plymouth Brethren only want to preach the pure and simple gospel; I say good luck to them, but if they want to foist on us their own peculiar views, I say the sooner they go back to Plymouth again, the better. We know plenty about creeds views, doctrines and things, but the mind that was in Christ is only in a very few of us. If ever you come up this way call in to see me will you, I have got some pretty specimens of tin and copper ore that I would like to show you, and then I would show you around. Our Church tower isn’t finished yet and when it will be I don’t know. They have fundraising concerts towards the cost. Our MP sang there too, so I heard. How he got on I don’t know because I wasn’t there. I wonder why they don’t say more in the Houses of Parliament. I think a few choice words up there would do more good than a song would. Down in St Ives some call him a silent member. But there, I suppose we will be having a new one before long. Now, sir, when I can even find time you shall hear from me again.” From yours truly, Isaac Berryman
1894 Colan Williams was the blind organist for Hellesveor and wrote the St Ives anthem ‘Hellesveor’, which is sung each Christmas.
(The Cornishman Thursday 10th May 1894)
1899 In October the St Ives Wesleyan choir journeyed to Towednack on Thursday evening and gave a capital service of song.
1904 Thomasine Trewhella Curnow had a funeral service conducted at Towednack Wesleyan Chapel on Friday 13th May. She was buried in the Churchyard.
Towednack Coldharbour – 1904 sale by Cowley estate
1905 The Sunday school treat was held on Good Friday. A public tea and meeting took place. The Towednack brass band was in attendance.
1913 The Chapel celebrated their anniversary on Sunday August 17th. The chapel was filled to overflowing.
1944 The funeral of Miss Wilmot Quick.
The Cornishman and Cornish Telegraph Thursday April 20th. There are families who are ‘local’ to the area. Quick. Nankervis, Berriman, Hollow, Curnow, Noy, Baragwaneth and Roach are some of the ‘local’ names.
1909 The Cornish Telegraph April 29th. St Ives Wesleyan choir journeyed to Towednack on Monday last and gave a musical service in the Towednack Wesleyan Chapel. There was a good attendance, and with the help of the St Ives choir was greatly appreciated.
1944 The Cornishman. May 4th. The funeral took place on Friday April 21st of Mr C. Hollow, late of Chytoddden Farm. The Rev. Brewer, Methodist minister, officiated. The service was held in Coldharbour Chapel, where a large number of friends had gathered together to pay their last respects. He was interred in the graveyard of the Church.
Jean Nankervis sent me some information on chapels which she and Cedric Appleby had collated. They mentioned that “Many people today can remember the Sunday Schools, outings, harvest supers etc. These were social occasions: all went to the harvest supper whether church or chapel. Preachers were local and popular e.g., Wilfred John Hollow preached at the Coldharbour chapel. Reading Schools run by chapels were extremely popular among the miners. They learnt to read the Bible; this was before children went to school… John Wesley and other preachers used to stay at Rosemergy in the home of John Daniel. This is the house which is now slate hung”.
1999 Coldharbour chapel was delisted on 14th April.
Lot 187: Gill Watkins, Towednack Chapel. Oil on canvas
Cornwall mapping website screenshot for the position of the chapel
2021 The chapel is now a home called ‘The Old Chapel’.
Images; Val Thomas 2021
Kresen Kernow:
Minutes, trustees, Towednack Methodist Church. MR1HY/37
Trust accounts, Towednack Methodist Church MR1HY/38
Resources:
genuki.org.uk
West Penwith Resources. west-penwith.org.uk
www.britishlistebuildings.co.uk/en -70547
‘Find My Past’ newspapers.
Jean Nankervis, Wicca Farm.
Cedric Appleby, Penzance
St Ives Museum
Sale particulars for ‘The Old Chapel’ – on the internet
My father was Wilfred John Hollow and he was a preacher as was his mother Nellie Hollow. I would often go to chapel to hear my father preach
My father was Wilfred John Hollow and he was a preacher as was his mother Nellie Hollow. I would often go to chapel to hear my father preach here
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