Angarrack is a village in west Cornwall, a mile to the east of Hayle. This profile of Angarrack Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
A Wesleyan Methodist chapel is recorded on the 1st and 2nd Editions of the 1:2500 OS maps and on the 1930’s revision.
7th August 1743: Charles Wesley preached at Velling Vrane, probably a tenement of Angarrack. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
1775: A class of Methodists in the village. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
Angarrack Methodists a part of Redruth Circuit. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
Mettings probably held in a private house. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
1827: Hayle and Angarrack Sunday schools combined and processed “to the height of the Towans” where they sang hymns and heard an address by the Rev. Thomas Martin. They returned to the chapel for tea and cakes and then went to the beach where they formed a circle and sang hymns. (8th June West Briton)
1834 Chapel
Earlier chapel built in 1834 (recorded on Tithe map) on the corner of Back Lane on a plot purchased from Francis Harvey of Harvey’s of Hayle fame for £1. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
A Methodist chapel is dated 1834 (b2) and is shown on the tithe award (b1). The building was extant in 1976(b2). A building is recorded at this position on the 1st and 2nd Edition 1: 2500 OS 1880 and 1907 Maps but is not named. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
1840: Sunday school formed by Mr Crispin and Mr Bond. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
1874: Chapel became the Sunday school. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
Circa 1900: 1834 Chapel possibly sold.
1874 Chapel
Angarrack Wesleyan Chapel (Photo: David Smitheram)
Angarrack Wesleyan Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)
Plot of land obtained on a 99-year lease at 6 shillings and eight pence per annum from Francis Glanville Gregor in an old quarry near Bolitho’s smelting works. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
Hayle Area Chapels listing refers to the 1874 chapel stating: “Replaced an earlier building of 1834”.
1874: “On Thursday and Friday last, a successful bazaar was held in the Copperhouse Wesleyan Schoolroom on behalf of the building fund of the Angarrack new Wesleyan Chapel. The society at this place having considerably increased, the chapel became too small to accommodate the congregation. A new chapel was commenced, which is now nearly completed; and the opening services are to be held on Good Friday. It will be very neat and comfortable chapel…” (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 05 March 1874)
August 1873: Foundation stone laid.
The Foundation Stone was laid by Captain Peter Perry of Lelant on Saturday 16th August 1873.
1874: Build date. (Hayle Area Chapels)
Built as a Wesleyan Chapel. (SWChurches)
10th April 1874: The chapel opened.
A Sunday School for Angarrack Wesleyan Methodist chapel 176199 was constructed sometime between 1880 and 1907 and is recorded on the 2nd Edition 1:2500 OS map, being added to the pre-1880 chapel. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
1886 & 1887: Angarrack Wesleyan Chapel engaged Copperhouse Band for its Sunday school tea.
1889: Sunday school build date.
1896: “Penny reading nights” held to raise funds. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
1914: Renovations to the chapel including building a porch. (1974 history paper / courtesy of Barry West)
1919: The Angarrack Wesleyans engaged Camborne Town Band for its Sunday school tea.
1920: Copperhouse Brass Band played at Angarrack Wesleyan Sunday school tea.
1925: ANGARRACK WESLEYANS. CHAPEL VESTRY SCHEME. On Easter Monday and Tuesday, a sale of work was held in the above schoolroom, for the purpose of obtaining funds for the erection of two classrooms much needed…” (Cornishman – Wednesday 22 April 1925)
1926: Vestries added.
1927: Copperhouse Brass Band played at Angarrack Wesleyan Sunday school tea for the last time.
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Angarrack Methodist Church. (SWChurches)
1939: Hayle Silver Band played at Angarrack Wesleyan Sunday school tea.
Following the Second World War: Lelant and District Band played at Angarrack Wesleyan Sunday school tea.
1948: Re-opened following renovations. (Cornishman – Thursday 30 September 1948)
1950: Penzance Independent Band played at Angarrack Wesleyan Sunday school tea.
1954: Angarrack Wesleyan Sunday school made the decision to cease hiring a band. Whether this was for economic or other reasons we do not know.
(Photo: Jo Lewis)
1957: A Building certified for worship named METHODIST CHAPEL, Angarrack, Phillack East, in the registration district of Penzance, in the county of Cornwall, was on 4th September 1957, registered for solemnising marriages. therein pursuant to section-41 of the Marriage Act,. 1949.—Dated 6th September; 1957. JOHN R. BAZELEY, Superintendent Registrar.
1958: Freehold purchased.
1970: Poster, Centenary celebrations, Angarrack Methodist Church, Phillack. (Kresen Kernow MRIHY/281)
2006: The chapel Sunday school became the community centre. It was also called ‘The Syd Perry Rooms’ and has multiple functions including a nursery.