Zelah is a village approximately 5 miles (8 kilometres) north of Truro and is the largest settlement in the civil parish of St Allen. This profile of Zelah Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
Late 18th-early 19th century: Draft letter, Methodist chapel at Zelah, St Allen. Draft of a letter by `S K, possibly to Sir Christopher Hawkins, relating to `S K’s plea for a more tolerant view to be taken of the Methodist Chapel about to be built at Zelah’. (Kresen Kernow J/1/848b)
1859: Originally built as a Wesleyan Chapel. (Historic England)
Wesleyan chapel (1868 remodelling or addition date) plus a small, attached schoolroom, probably the original chapel, are now all disused and to be converted into a house. Good example built of stone rubble with a scantle slate hipped roof, round-arched openings, original sashes and horse-shoe plan walled courtyard. Entrance front has 2 windows high up to light gallery and central doorway. Interior now gutted, except for end gallery. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)
Seating for 178. (David Easton)
1874: “Let Methodists beware how they meddle with established customs. A recent act of a few in authority has caused a revolution among the Methodists of Zelah. So much so indeed that it is a question whether the Chapel there will not have to be given up. L am informed by a member that the ‘leading Methodists’ of the place have gone over to the Bryanites, and that their names may now be found upon the Bryanite plans; and at pre-sent it appears probable that the whole body of Zelah Methodists will become followers of William O’Bryan. And what do you imagine has caused this remarkable movement? Neither more nor less than the formation of the Newlyn East Circuit by the officials, who did not, I am assured, consult the members on the subject. Hence mortal offence. Lesson: Preachers and officials consult the lay element before you act. You must not imagine yourselves to be everybody; if you do you will be disagreeably surprised to find that you are, comparatively speaking, nobody.” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Saturday 31 October 1874)
1888: “A Splendid Donation. Mr. Robert Lanyon, of America brother of Mr. Eliel Lanyon, Henver, and late of this parish, has sent a donation of £20 towards the renovation of the Wesleyan Chapel, Zelah.” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 13 September 1888)
1888: Tenders invited for the renovation and re-seating of Zelah Wesleyan Chapel. (Published: Thursday 14 June 1888 Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1902: “Opening New Organ. Zelah Wesleyans have made a great addition the accessories to worship during the past few days. Messrs. Hele, of Plymouth, have erected their order a very useful, sweet-toned little organ in the chapel, and to celebrate its opening large congregations assembled on Thursday…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 25 September 1902)
1925: Trust minutes, Zelah Wesleyan Chapel, St Allen (Kresen Kernow MRN/58)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Zelah Methodist Church.
1992: Zelah Methodist Church closed. (SWChurches / (David Easton)
Organ transferred to St Allen Church. (Jo Lewis)
1992: Letter, closure and conversion of chapel, Zelah Methodist Church, St Allen. Letter from the Jonathan Ball Practice, Chartered Architects, Bude to Mr G Mewton, treasurer relating to closure and conversion of chapel premises. Kresen Kernow MRN/859)
1992: Insurance policy, chapel, Zelah Methodist Church, St Allen (Kresen Kernow MRN/857)
It is now a residence and planning suggests conversion in 1998. (Jo Lewis) http://planning.cornwall.gov.uk/online-applications/propertyDetails.do?activeTab=relatedCases&keyVal=002RA1FGLI000
Wesleyan chapel (1868 remodelling or addition date) plus a small, attached schoolroom, probably the original chapel, are now all disused and to be converted into a house. Good example built of stone rubble with a scantle slate hipped roof, round-arched openings, original sashes and horse-shoe plan walled courtyard. Entrance front has 2 windows high up to light gallery and central doorway. Interior now gutted, except for end gallery. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)
It is grade 2 listed. (Jo Lewis)
Methodist chapel and schoolroom. Chapel 1859. Killas stone with granite dressings, brick arches to openings. Plan: Chapel near square, with entrance on north, and narrower rectangular Sunday school added central to south face, having entrance towards road. Front has pair of 6-panelled doors with fanlight, and 9-in brick arch with a raised keystone bearing the date. Two round-headed windows above to balcony level, also with stone keys, and margin glazed sashes. Side windows similar 30-paned sashes with stained glass fanlights. Roof hipped. Schoolroom added 1868, pebbledashed, with slate roof. Two bays. Central pair boarded doors with datestone over, and two 24-paned sashes, Small gable stack and lean-to gig-shed at south end. Forecourt of chapel of semi-circular form, killas walls approx. 1.5m high with peaked coping. Monolithic granite gate piers holding simple bar-iron overthrow, the lantern missing. Gate has scrolled ornamental crest. Path from gate to chapel door is of patterned yellow clay ware pavoirs. Interior: Walls plastered. Flat ceiling with moulded cornice and 4 roses for pendant lights. North gallery of stained pine on single central column, the front panelled and having moulded rails, all on paired brackets. Dog leg stair with turned newels and balusters. Body of chapel has central pulpit raised over 6 steps, panelled front. Openwork iron panels either side to raised choir stalls, and rail around communion table enclosure on iron stanchions. Organ inserted to left of pulpit later, and pews of aisle turned at right angles and tiered. Monument: White marble tablet on black slate commemorating 5 dead of 1914-18 war. Schoolroom has raised staging with front boards folding on trestles. Listing NGR: SW8105551733 (Historic England)
Zelah Wesleyan Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)