Crelly is a moorland in the parish of Wendron in Cornwall. On the edges of the moor are Crelly Farm, Crelly Barton and Higher Crelly Farm. This profile of Crelly Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
Heading north from Wendron on the B3297, take the signposted left turn. The old chapel can be found some way done the road on the right.
Wesleyan chapel, probably early or mid C19 survives in the rural hamlet. The floor inserted in late C19 to provide for a schoolroom underneath former gallery. There is a possible caretaker’s cottage at the rear. It is colour-washed rubble to graveyard elevation, later stucco to front end and to road elevation. Two-storey elevations with a later ramp at the road frontage for access to the later first floor doorway. Original 12-pane hornless sashes to ground floor of inner side, later windows with margin panes to first floor including pair of round-arched windows over round-arched doorway with original spooked fanlight over panelled doors. Interior of school room has some original fittings. An interesting example of adaptation to provide a Sunday school within the existing building. Heritage Gateway)
Crelly Chapel had its own cemetery which sits next door to the chapel and is still accessible.
1844: Build date. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Friday 30 May 1884)
October 2008 (Photo: Terry Knight)
Built as a Wesleyan Chapel.
1874/75: Records suggest the Church and Sunday school began. But the RCG report of 1844 suggest that the chapel was earlier so perhaps this just refers to the Sunday school.
1878: Appears on maps.
The Wesleyan Chapel at Crelly was built in 1844 at a cost of upwards of £400. The cost was met as best the trustees could, but there remains a debt of £90. A few months ago the leading members of the society and congregation determined to make an effort to wipe this debt off. Subscriptions were promised from £20 down, and arrangements made for organizing a bazaar, which was held on Tuesday in a galvanized iron house erected near the chapel for the occasion, the iron being kindly lent for the purpose, free of charge, by Mr. John Perry. The bazaar was opened by Mr. G. J. Smith! J.P., of Camborne. A most substantial luncheon was provided at one o’clock, at which a large company sat down. A public tea was held at five o’clock. During the afternoon a varied programme of music was given Mr. J. F. Hendy, 1 organist of St. Bartholomew’s Church! Porthleven, presided at the harmonium. The Crelly Chapel choir also gave a number of sacred anthems. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Friday 30 May 1884)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Crelly Methodist Church.
1940: Seating for 168. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
1979: Serious roof damage during high winds. (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 20 December 1979)
1995: Closure date. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
1996: For sale with cemetery – still in use. Cornish memory picture shows the chapel in a more recognisable form – the converted house has lost the original steps and higher floor entrance. https://cornishmemory.com/item/YOC_3_108
1996: Comments about the closure. (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 25 January 1996)
There were many other reports in the newspapers about the possible change of use of this chapel.
2021: Change of use application refused. https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/19013858.helston-packet-minister-rounds-planners-chapel/
Became a dwelling / artist’s studio.