Mapping Methodism – Morvah Wesleyan Chapel

Morvah is a village on the Penwith Peninsula. Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell have compiled this profile of Morvah Wesleyan Chapel.

 

1744 Chapel

1743: Charles Wesley preached in Morvah and between them Charles and his brother John preached here over 20 times between 1743 and 1766. (Morvah – Methodist Society House – 1744-1766)

25^th July 1744: Charles notes in his journal, ‘I found the bretheren in Morvah beginning to build a Society house. We knelt down upon the place and prayed for a blessing.’ This is thought to be the first chapel. (Morvah – Methodist Society House – 1744-1766)

 

1744: Build date. (Heritage Gateway)

From 1835: Sitting adjacent to the later chapel, the building was then used as a Sunday School for the children of Morvah.

1941: The building was repaired.

 

1810 Chapel

There was a Wesleyan Methodist chapel in the Churchtown; this was opened in 1810. There also used to be a Bible Christian chapel in the parish but this was altered to become a Board school before 1883. (Genuki)

Small Methodist chapel, the original chapel probably the cottage that adjoins the 1866 dated former Wesleyan chapel that is now converted to a house. Granite rubble with granite dressings under slate roofs. House has 1-window range front with doorway on the right, now a window. The chapel has original tall windows now subdivided to provide upper floor; gabled porch right of centre; granite gate-piers and cast-iron gate. The cottage may be one of the earliest Methodist meeting houses in Cornwall. (Heritage Gateway)

 

1835: Opening date. (SWChurches) Possibly the registration date.

Built as a Wesleyan chapel. (Heritage Gateway)

Part of St Just Wesleyan Circuit. (SWChurches)

June 1836: At Morvah Sunday School, “the day appointed for the Tea-Drinking the weather being fine the children walked two and two, attended by the teachers, to the top of the watch which commands a fine prospect of the western parts of Cornwall extending from the Land’s End to Redruth”. Hymns were sung and at the end of the walk the children were treated to tea and cake. The report continues. “Morvah Wesleyans had their treat on or close to the 23^rd June, which was St John’s Eve and marked by bonfires”.  

1851: William Gartrell was the steward.

 

1866 Chapel

Photo courtesy of Val Thomas

 

The Wesleyan Chapel can be found slightly set back on the right on a right turn off the main road, by the bus stop adjacent to the Morvah Schoolhouse and cafe.

The current building was built in 1866, possibly following an 1810 chapel seating 127. Both replaced the earlier chapel which became the Sunday school.

There are places of worship for Bryanites and Wesleyans; and a boys’ school, chiefly supported by subscription. (Morvah Cornwall Family History Guide)

 

1866: Build date.

1873: Survey reports 160 seats.

1921: Tenders invited for the renovation of Morvah Wesleyan Chapel. (Cornishman – Wednesday 04 May 1921)

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

1932: Became Morvah Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

Part of St Just Methodist Circuit. (SWChurches)

1934: Morvah Wesleyan Chapel temporarily closed for renovations – services held in the Sunday school. (Cornishman – Thursday 07 June 1934)

1940: Seating for 156. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1965: Closure date. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian / SWChurches)

Chapel sold. (SWChurches)

The building fell into dilapidation.

1965-69: Morvah Methodist Church sold.

1999: Converted into a hub for the local community, arts and events – The Morvah Schoolhouse and Cafe.

Converted to dwelling and gallery. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

2003: Photographs, chapels and churches, West Penwith. Photo montage display compiled by Mr Doug Luxford, St Just for summer pilgrimage visit of the Cornish Methodist Historical Association. Photographs of Morvah Parish Church and Zennor Parish Church and following chapels: Zennor Wesleyan Chapel, 1865; Morvah Bible Christian Chapel, 1871; Morvah Wesleyan Chapel, 1866; Morvah first Wesleyan chapel, 1766; Porthmeor Wesleyan Chapel, Zennor, 1839; Bojewyan Wesleyan Chapel, 1841; Boscaswell Bible Christian Chapel, 1840; Trewellard Bible Christian Chapel, 1843; Trewellard Wesleyan Chapel, 1833; Carnyorth Wesleyan Reform Union Chapel, 1886; Botallack Wesleyan Chapel, 1845, St Just in Penwith. Also Rosemergy farm, Morvah. Summer 2003. (Kresen Kernow MRWP/21.