St Agnes is a village on the north coast of Cornwall. This profile of St Agnes (Rosemundy) New Connexion Chapel has been compiled by Clive Benney & Tony Mansell.
1835: The Chapel was built following a split with the Wesleyan Methodists at Goonown.
Mid-late C19 Methodist New Connexion chapel with small detached (but now linked) Sunday school in front, possibly the original early-mid C19 chapel, all disused at time of inspection with the main chapel windows boarded up. Killas rubble with brick arches; scantle slate hipped roof on Sunday school. Large chapel has symmetrical 3-bay pedimented (pediment rendered) front end with round-arched window openings and elliptical-arched doorway. Sunday school building has original sash windows. This chapel is very close to the large 1860 Wesleyan chapel in St Agnes. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
Extract from the Methodist New Connexion Magazine proved by the Rev. David Easton
1865 or earlier: General William Booth, the travelling evangelist and founder of the Salvation Army is said to have preached there.
1869: St Agnes New Connexion Sunday School: “… the children belonging to this school, held their annual tea treat. They marched in procession, headed by the Perranzabuloe Brass Band, from their school-room to the lawn and gardens of Mr W. N. Carne, Rosemundy, and from thence to the town …” (17 July 1869 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1872: “… scholars of the St. Agnes New Connexion Sunday school took tea in the chapel on Saturday afternoon last. The St Agnes Brass Band was in attendance.” (13 July 1872 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1907: St Agnes New Connexion Tea Treat in the field next to the 1835 chapel (Photo: from “The Miner with A Camera” courtesy of Clive Benney)
1923: The members held regular tea treats in the adjoining field, “The scholars of the United Methodist Sunday school held their annual tea on Saturday. Fine weather and the presence of St Agnes Town Band brought together a large number in the evening.” (Royal Cornwall Gazette July 1923)
1924: The Chapel closed due to lack of support. The Wesleyans of St Agnes were quick to extend the hand of friendship: they sent invitations to all of the UMC members inviting them to attend a prayer meeting at the Wesleyan Chapel and to unite with them in their services.
1925: “The Trustees of the old Methodist New Connexion have sold their Chapel by auction for £240.” (Royal Cornwall Gazette 17th June 1925) the “The Trevaunance Masonic Lodge of St Agnes purchased the building.
1925: ST. AGNES CHAPEL SOLD. The old Methodist New Connexion Chapel situated at Rosemundy, St. Agnes (in which the late William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army preached), together with the vestry, was offered for sale Tuesday by public auction. Mr, H. Waters started the bidding at £100 and became the purchaser (for other parties) at £240. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Thursday 18 June 1925)