Mapping Methodism – Ponsongath Bible Christian Chapel

Ponsongath is a hamlet west of Coverack in west Cornwall. This profile of Ponsongath Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Terry Moyle.

Built 1833

Thatched

Stone & cob walls

114 baptisms 1838-1900

1848 BC Magazine – obituary for Anthony Roberts who had been a class leader at Ponsongath for many years

Missionary records – two young girls, Martha and Jane Exelby collected money for overseas missions. Jane Exelby collected 7/6 in 1852 and 7/- in 1853 while in 1862 Martha Exelby collected 5/2

1862 Commander William Lory leased to Allan Pengilly and others a plot on Arrowan Common for 999 years, rent one penny if demanded. (This suggests that the original lease on the chapel had run out or was nearing its end)

1865-1869 – a class register was kept by Simon Keverne of Arrowan; he noted down attendance, weekly payments (between 9d and 1/6) and whether the members were backsliders, wanderers or had been removed. There were 27 names in the register.

Preaching Plan 1868 & 1878 two Sunday services & Wednesday evening

1875 BC Magazine – obituary for Dinah Exelby who had been a member at Ponsongath for over 30 years. It included a comment that she charged her husband to entertain the preachers after she was gone. Her husband, William Exelby, composed a verse to go with the obituary.

William Exelby 1800-1885 (member for over 30 years)

1904 major renovation – pine pews, choir stalls & pulpit

1904 conveyance of land for a schoolroom

1964 Mrs. Henry Harry celebrated 50 years as organist and in a speech recalled her memories – these included references to preachers such as Peter Hodge who would never put the hymns down on paper but would announce the number and she had to find it quickly and to the enjoyable revival meetings.

1970s sketch

The congregation was drawn from neighbouring farms and hamlets – Gwenter, Poldowrian, Carnpessack, Arrowan, Borgwitha, Ponsongath and Trevenvith. The Hall family walked from Trevenvith to chapel in all weathers, a distance of several miles from the cliffs above Kennack.

Merle Barnes from Australia 1985 by the chapel door William Exelby’s great, great grandaughter