Wheal Frances is a village in the civil parish of Perranzabuloe to the south of Goonhavern. This profile of Wheal Frances Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Tony Mansell.
A reference in Perranzabuloe Museum from The Ecclesiastical History of the Parish gives Wheal Francis (sic) as Wesleyan Methodist Chapel 1866.
To seat 80. (David Easton)
(Courtesy Perranzabuloe Museum)
1889: “Wheal Frances. The Annual tea treat in connection with the chapel was held on Thursday, when the Bolingey Brass Band was in attendance, and everything was well carried out.” (30 May 1889 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Circa 2nd November 1895: A blue and white willow patterned bowl with gold rim presented to Miss L.P. Paul for her wedding (Photo: courtesy Perranzabuloe Museum)
There is also a reference to an engraved marble mantle clock “Presented to Miss L.P. Paul for valuable services as organist of Wheal Frances Wesleyan Chapel and Band of Hope November 2nd 1895. It has never left the parish of Perranzabuloe”. (Perranzabuloe Museum are searching for this object)
Wheal Frances Chapel (Photo courtesy Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society)
Wesley Chapel Wheal Frances (Photo courtesy Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society)
1909: “The Wheal Frances Chapel is charmingly situated. In the trees surrounding it the birds build their nests, and in the chapel roof the bees make their honey. And so an interesting item in the society’s account each year is that of proceeds of sale of honey. The amount realised last year by this means was £1.0s.10d. The folk at Wheal Frances are few in number, but great in devotion.” (Cornish Guardian – Friday 12 March 1909)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1964: Closed (David Easton)
Converted to a dwelling. (David Easton)
Photographs by Jo Lewis
