Newlyn is a seaside town and fishing port on the shore of Mount’s Bay and forms a small conurbation with the neighbouring town of Penzance. This profile of Newlyn Primitive Methodist Chapels has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
Earlier Primitive Methodist chapel
The Newlyn Ebenezer Primitive Methodist chapel replaced an earlier building in Newlyn town. (SWChurches)
Newlyn Ebenezer Primitive Methodist chapel
Located in Boase Street.
Primitive Methodist (Ebenezer) chapel, Boase Street. Now converted to residential use and altered (was listed Grade II but revoked due to loss of architectural interest resulting from conversion). Dressed granite front, otherwise granite rubble with granite dressings under a hipped slate roof. Simple classical style, originally with a galleried auditorium. Symmetrical 3-window front with round-arched openings except for elliptically arched doorway. Originally sash windows replaced with inappropriate tilt-opening windows when converted. Low coped forecourt wall. Listed and illustrated in Stell (b1). (Heritage Gateway)
1834: Build date. (SWChurches)
Built as a Primitive Methodist chapel. (SWChurches)
Replaced an earlier building in Newlyn town. (SWChurches)
The society built a new Primitive Methodist chapel, Centenary Primitive Methodist Chapel, in 1927 and the Ebenezer Chapel was used as a Sunday School until about 1980 when the premises were sold.
1835: Founded. (West Penwith Resources)
1851: Census return completed by Henry Boase, the Chapel Steward. On Census Sunday it had attendances of 300 in the afternoon and 320 in the evening, plus 60 Sunday School scholars in the afternoon and 30 in the evening. The ‘Remarks’ column states “Above one Hundred Male Members of the Congregation from home on a Fishing Excursion.” (My Primitive Methodists)
Seating for 700 people. (West Penwith Resources)
1910: Newlyn Primitive Methodist Band of Hope: “… it was naturally a huge success and all who attended it enjoyed themselves heartily. The procession, headed by the Tredavoe and Paul Bands, the Independent Band of Hope banner, presented by Messrs Mackenzie and Bramley, borne aloft.” (26 May 1910 – Cornishman)
1928: Used as a Sunday school when Centenary chapel opened.
1960s-1970s: Ceased use as a Sunday school. (SWChurches)
Circa 1980: Building sold. (SWChurches)
Converted to residential.
Was listed Grade II but revoked due to loss of architectural interest resulting from conversion.
Newlyn (Centenary) Primitive Methodist Chapel
Located in Guavas Road.
Large Primitive Methodist chapel. A very robust design in monumental rock-faced granite masonry under a slate roof. Italianate design with Gothic features, round-arched openings, on front elevation. Symmetrical front has linked hoodmoulds over the openings; 3 windows to first floor, the central window larger and traceried. Ground floor has central doorway flanked by smaller doorways plus window at far left and right. 5-bay side elevations. Interesting late example. (Heritage Gateway)
The Primitive Methodists built this large chapel to replace the Ebenezer Chapel. (SWChurches)
Newlyn (Centenary) Primitive Methodist Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)
1913: Scheme for new chapel. (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 28 August 1913)
1927: Foundation stones laying. (Cornish Post and Mining News – Saturday 20 August 1927)
1927: Build date. (SWChurches)
1928: Opening date.
Built as a Primitive Methodist chapel. (SWChurches)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Centenary Methodist Church. (SWChurches)
1934: Newlyn Centenary Chapel centenary celebrations. (Cornishman – Thursday 19 July 1934)
1973: Correspondence, repairs to roof, Centenary Methodist Church, Newlyn, Paul. Correspondence relating to repairs to Fellowship House roof. (Kresen Kernow MRPZ/396)
Circa 1980: Plan of alterations, Centenary Methodist Church, Newlyn, Paul. Plan of alterations to form hall within chapel, nd. (Kresen Kernow MRPZ/397)
1980-1984: Correspondence, schoolroom and alterations to Centenary Methodist Church, Newlyn, Paul. Correspondence with Property Division, Chapel Aid Association, Vivian Thomas & Jervis, solicitors, concerning sale of schoolroom and alterations to chapel. (Kresen Kernow MRPZ/398)
1984: Closed. (SWChurches)
2018 Built as a replacement for the former Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Chapel, which sits just below it on the hill and has been converted to flats, this chapel too has limited ancillary space and is almost entirely reliant on its small congregation for income. It is in generally fair condition and there are no immediate internal threats beyond its small and largely elderly congregation. (Methodism in West Penwith – A Heritage at Risk)