25 August 2021

Mapping Methodism – Connor Downs Teetotal Wesleyan Methodist Chapel / United Methodist Free Church

Connor Downs is a village approximately two miles (3 km) east of Hayle and about two miles south-southeast of Gwithian. This profile of Connor Downs Teetotal Wesleyan Methodist Chapel / United Methodist Free Church has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

1845 Teetotal Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

Both David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian and the Checklist of Churches in the Hayle Circuit on the 31^st August 1961, identify this as a Teetotal Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.

The first UMC was found on the south side of the main road (Turnpike Road) through the village. The church is seen on 1887 maps, later becoming the Sunday school by 1907

Now a pre school, it has previously been home to an evangelical church along with the second chapel

The earliest United Methodist chapel in Connor Downs is shown in this position on the 1st Edition 1:2500 1880 OS Map. By 1907 the congregation had moved to a new chapel 138548 located to the east along Turnpike Road, the old chapel becoming the Sunday school. The building is currently extant and shown on the Mastermap as a Hall. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

1845: Build date. (Checklist of Churches in the Hayle Circuit on the 31^st August 1961)

Former Connor Downs Teetotal Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)

1880s United Methodist Free Chapel

The second UMC was built pre-1907, on the same side of the road as its predecessor, slightly further east opposite the newly built housing of Trevarthen close.

Free United Methodist chapel recorded on the 2nd Edition1:2500 1907 OS Map. Probably late C19 sometime after 1876 as it is not shown on the 1st Edition 1:2500 OS Map. Built of local rubble with granite dressings under a dry slate roof with crested clay ridge tiles and moulded-coped front gable with finial base and moulded kneelers. Gothic influence. Front end has pointed-arched recessed central bay with quatrefoil tracery to rose window over round-arched doorway with pair of panelled doors; flanking round-arched windows and shouldered arches to windows of side elevations. Good group with adjacent probable manse. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

Methodist probable manse (or caretaker’s cottage). Probably late 19, same as the adjacent chapel. Local stone with granite dressings under a hipped roof. 2-window front with 4-pane sashes and panelled door with overlight. Attractive group. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

Connor Downs UMFC (Photo: Jo Lewis)