Mapping Methodism – Todpool Wesleyan / Primitive Wesleyan Chapel

Todpool is a hamlet in west Cornwall between Chacewater and St Day villages and is three miles (5 km) east of Redruth. During the 19th century, Todpool was an important site for tin mining due to its proximity to Poldice mine. This profile of Todpool Chapel has been compiled by Tony Mansell with material gleaned by J C C Probert’s publication.

 

1829: Todpool Primitive Methodist Society in existence. (J C C Probert)

1830: 19 members.

1835: 36 members.

Seemingly failed in an attempt to acquire an existing building as a chapel.

1835: Society closed.

The congregation split between St Day and Creegbrawse societies.

It is not known for how long Todpool Wesleyans had occupied this building nor whether they had built it.

December 1881: The Gwennap Wesleyan Circuit Quarterly minutes refer to its being taken over by the Primitive Methodists. Perhaps this should have stated that it was going to be taken over by the Primitive Methodists.

March 1882: Todpool Primitive Methodist Society attempting to procure a chapel from the Wesleyans – possibly the same building that they tried to obtain 50 years earlier.

September 1883: Todpool Primitive Methodist Society planning to repair chapel.

December 1883: “…it was given up”. Whether this means by the Wesleyans or the Primitive Methodists it Is not clear.

Before 1907: Chapel demolished.

A Wesleyan Methodist chapel is recorded on the 1st Edition 1:2500 1880 OS Map at this location in Todpool. The chapel had been demolished by 1907 but the site has not been redeveloped and according to the current Mastermap is used for storage and parking. (Heritage Gateway)