Illogan Downs is a hamlet near Illogan. This profile of Illogan Downs Wesleyan Chapel was compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
Charles Wesley came to Illogan in 1743 and preached at Illogan Downs on 3rd Sept 1743. There was a Wesleyan society at Illogan Downs by 1799. It is not unreasonable to suggest an earlier Chapel / Meeting House was the Sunday School within the site of Merrose Farm which itself is known to date back to the 15th century.
1799 to 1975: Indicated as life of chapels or possible the society. (Kresen Kernow / SWChurches) Possible suggests an earlier chapel.
There was a Wesleyan society at Illogan Downs by 1799. (SWChurches)
Circa 1840 Illogan Downs (Merrose) Wesleyan Chapel
Circa 1840: New Wesleyan chapel built. (SWChurches)
Possibly the building indicated as Sunday school on the map.
6 Mar 1841: Lease, Illogan Downs Wesleyan Chapel, Illogan. Parties: 1) John Luke, yeoman, of Illogan. 2) William Arnall, William Penberthy, carpenters; John Luke the younger, James Vincent, Thomas Andrew, Richard Luke, James Luke, James Carter, William Uren, Henry Jenkin, miners; James Bath, yeoman; Henry Jeffery, grocer and James Penberthy, wheelwright, all of Illogan, chapel trustees. Plot of three perches in Illogan Downs, with Wesleyan Methodist chapel or meeting house ‘lately erected or built thereon’, with appurtenances. Consideration: 5 shillings by party 2 to 1. Rent: 1 shilling. Term: remainder of 99-year term for lease granted on 1 April 1835 by Honourable Anna Maria Agar to John Luke. (Kresen Kernow MRR/1631)
1854: Certificate of registration, Illogan Downs Wesleyan Chapel, Illogan. Certificate of registration as place of religious worship. (Kresen Kernow MRCB/223)
1861: Illogan Downs Wesleyan Chapel
(Photo: Jo Lewis)
Wesleyan chapel with later Sunday school at rear. Now disused. Killas rubble with granite dressings; scantle slate roof. Simple classical style pedimented front with 2 round-arched windows. Original sash windows to side elevations; porch to left-hand return. In 2006 the chapel was converted and in 2007 the Sunday school was also converted; no original sash windows survive (BJP). (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
1861: Build date. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway / Plaque) Possibly a new build across the road from the Sunday school or maybe a rebuild or renovation?
(Photo: Sarah Davis)
1880 to 1938: Sunday school at Merrose indicated on map. (old.maps.co.uk)
1880 to 1970s: Chapel indicated on map. (old.maps.co.uk)
Part of Camborne Wesleyan Circuit. (SWChurches)
Owing to the closing of the Illogan Downs Wesley Chapel for complete renovation, the Sunday school anniversary is postponed … The re-opening services will commence Wednesday. May 30th. 1900. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 04 May 1900)
Kellys 1902 records a Free Methodist Chapel at Illogan Downs but it is not noted on maps. However, David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian also mentions it, and, by coincidence, states that it too closed in 1975. There are no other references to it so it could be an error or possibly one that we have yet to find.
Circa 1920: Exercise book, deeds, leases and appointment of new trustees, Camborne Methodist Circuit: Information regarding the following churches: Camborne Wesley, Centenary, Tuckingmill, Troon, Pool, Penponds, Forest, Kehelland, Illogan Downs, Pengegon, Illogan Highway, Treswithian, Tregajorran, Beacon, Plantation, Roscroggan, Condurrow, Bolennow, Connor Downs, Pool St Martins and Trelowarren Street. Compiled c1920. Kresen Kernow MRCB/176)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Illogan Downs Methodist Church. (SWChurches)
1932: Part of Camborne Methodist Circuit. (SWChurches)
1952: Poster, reopening after restoration, Illogan Downs Methodist Church, Illogan. (Kresen Kernow MRCB/893)
1955: Certificate of registration, marriages, Illogan Downs Methodist Church, Illogan. Includes accompanying letter from Superintendent Registrar. (Kresen Kernow MRCB/224)
1975: The chapel closed. (SWChurches)
Premises sold. (SWChurches)
1975-1977: Papers and correspondence, sale, Illogan Downs Methodist Church, Illogan. Concerning sale of Chapel. (Kresen Kernow MRCB/226)
Became residential.
(Photo: Sarah Davis)
(Photo: Sarah Davis)
(Photo: Sarah Davis)