Gustavus Wesleyan Mission Chapel, Camborne – originally: Wesleyan Mission Room

Location of chapel on 1908 map

Name of researcher/author: Suzanne Trythall

Gustavus Mission Chapel stands on the corner of Gustavus Road and Tehidy Road in Camborne. As a mission chapel, it was not fully self supporting and was under the control of the trustees of Camborne Wesley Methodist Chapel. The building was originally a ‘ragged school’ on land owned by the Basset family of Tehidy. The road was named after Gustavus Lambert Basset (1834-1888). In the mid 19^th century the area around Tehidy Road was known for its poverty and distress and the trustees thought a meeting place should be provided for the people living there.

1878: lease for 60 years signed and backdated to 1871 was granted by GL Basset and others to William Bickford Smith and George John Smith, both prominent Wesleyans, at an annual rent of 18s 9d.

24 December 1878: premises completed for worship and management delegated to a committee at the mission chapel although control and oversight remained with Camborne Wesley. Sunday schools and society classes were started in addition to the Sunday services.

Gustavus Chapel front view facing Tehidy Road

Back view of chapel on right taken from Gustavus Road. Photos courtesy of David Thomas.

June 1880: Cornishman newspaper records the annual tea treat. Over 100 children walked in a procession, led by J Blarney and J Vincent, through the principal streets of Camborne to Trevu where they were received by members of the Smith family. They then walked to the schoolroom and received a 7oz bun and, on leaving, were met at the door by J Gay (superintendent) and J Bath (secretary) to be given another 7oz bun and a packet of sweets. Amusements followed in a field at Rosewarne.

Appointment of Deaconesses:

October 1897: first deaconess, Sister Thirza, appointed to work among the poor at Camborne Wesley and to assist with services at Gustavus and Centenary mission centres

September 1899: Sister Alice appointed when Sister Thirza left for Africa

November 1902: Sister Maud succeeded Sister Alice

1888: Gustavus Mission Brass Band was active

1889: Gustavus Brass and String Band played at the Camborne Wesleyan Band of Hope.

1905: initiated the giving of tea or supper to the old folks and children who were associated with the mission ‘in times not too flourishing’. Cornubian and Redruth Times

1931: building and land purchased by Ivey Oates from the Basset estate

1955: stewards appointed by Camborne Wesley for the final year of the Gustavus Mission

1956: no longer used as a Methodist Chapel and ‘might be used for accommodation, light industry or a sale room’. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 03 May 1956

1956: ‘The Future of a Disused Chapel’. Appeal by Mr WG Allard against refusal of Cornwall County Council to permit the change of use to a printing works. The building had been disused for some time, its chief function had been as a practice hall for the bugle band of the Boys’ Brigade two or three times a week. This had now discontinued and the chapel authorities had relinquished the building completely. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 29 November 1956

1962: tribute to Mr William-Gundry Edwards, greengrocer in the town, well known evangelist and long associated with the Gustavus Mission. By this date the Mission had become a dwelling.

West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 13 September 1962

Private House June 2024