Mapping Methodism – Crippas Hill or Cripples Hill (Kelynack) Bible Christian Chapel

Crippas Hill is located south of St Just. This profile of Crippas Hill or Cripples Hill (Kelynack) Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

A wayside Bible Christian chapel plus attached Sunday school (1931) survive at Crippleshill. It is a good vernacular example, built of colour-washed rubble under a scantle slate roof. Original 12-pane sash windows. Interior has original box pews and is one of only about six examples of small chapels with box pews surviving in Cornwall. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

Crippleshill Methodist Church and Schoolroom. Nonconformist (Bible Christian) chapel and later schoolroom. 1861 datestone, schoolroom 1931. Painted rubble walls to chapel render and rusticated quoins to schoolroom; asbestos slate roof with coped front gable to chapel and original scantle slate roof with crested and pierced clay ridge tiles to schoolroom. Small rectangular aisle-less plan to chapel plus small schoolroom added at right angles to right-hand side. Single storey; symmetrical 2-window front end. Original 12-pane hornless sashes to end elevations; central doorway with squat overlight and panelled door and name with date panel to centre of gable.
INTERIOR: has its original complete set of box pews plus loose benches in front; possibly original rostrum with arcaded balustrade over 3-bay arcade; communion rail with turned balustrade and quadrant plan ends. This one of only 6 examples of simple wayside chapels in Cornwall known to retain all of their original box pews. Listing NGR: SW3720030130 (British Listed Buildings)

 

1861: Build date. (Date stone / Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

1872: Re-opened following painting etc. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Saturday 14 September 1872)

1907: The Methodist New Connexion, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Churches amalgamated to become the United Methodist Church.

Circa 1920: Glass negative, Crippas Hill Sunday school, St Just in Penwith. (Kresen Kernow AD2150/1/78)

1923: “CRIPPLE’S HILL. The anniversary of the United Methodist Sunday-school Cripple’s Hill was held Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday scholars, teachers and officers met and paraded to St. Just, the old Town Band being in attendance. Returning to the field the children were regaled with tea and buns. The usual and games in the field followed.” (Cornishman – Wednesday 18 July 1923)

1931: Schoolroom build date. (My United Methodists)

1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.

1932: Became Crippas Hill Methodist Church and Schoolroom. (My United Methodists)

1940: Seating for 125. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1996: Closure date. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1999: Made a Grade II Listed Building largely because it was one of only six examples of simple wayside chapels in Cornwall known to retain all of their original box pews. (My United Methodists)

Became residential.

2021: For sale.