Radnor is a hamlet near Redruth and close to the A30 main road. It is located on a road which once linked Scorrier to Redruth. This profile of Radnor Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
The Bible Christian Chapel
Circa 1850s: Radnor Bible Christian Chapel built.
Opened by Billy Bray. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Thursday 28 May 1908)
1887: Radnor Bible Christian Chapel closed for three weeks for renovations. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 30 September 1887)
1895: Advertisement for harmoniuist (sic). (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 14 June 1895)
1895: Tenders invited for the renovation of Radnor Chapel. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 05 July 1895)
1903: Revival services at Radnor Bible Christian Chapel. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 30 January 1903)
The former Radnor Bible Christian Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)
The front has the typical two arched windows with a central door. Above is a simple round plaque denoting Bible Christian. It is hidden from the road by hedging, but originally had a gateway from the road. Access is via a lane opposite the old UFMC chapel.
Now known as Ivanmor Chapel and is approximately 1.5 miles from Redruth town centre, adjacent to North Country and next to Wheel Peevor mine).
Premises a private dwelling for over 20 years / Studio 1850 a creative design company.
Small wayside Bible Christian chapel probably later used as the Sunday school for 1907 chapel nearby, disused for many years. Probably mid C19. Painted rubble walls with coped front end; scantle slate roof. Italianate classical but very simple. Symmetrical 2-window front has round datestone central to gable and 2 round-arched window openings flanking an altered central doorway. 2 window openings to each side elevation. Interesting group with former United Methodist chapel built 1907 (Unification date) on the other side of the road.
The circa 1850s chapel closed but continued to be used as a Sunday school. It was eventually sold and became a dwelling.
The United Methodist Chapel
1906: Radnor Bible Christians. Plans for the erection of new and more commodious Bible Christian Chapel at Radnor, near Redruth, were submitted to the Redruth Urban District Council at their meeting on Monday and duly passed. Radnor Bible Christian Society is now in a much healthier state than was the case a few years ago. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Saturday 24 November 1906)
1906: Plans, Radnor Bible Christian Chapel, Redruth. Blueprint plans, sections and elevations, 30 inches by 21 inches, scale 20 feet, 1 inch. Sampson Hill, architect. (Kresen Kernow AD848/1)
1907: “New Chapel for Radnor Memorial Stone Laying. Twelve memorial stones were laid on Thursday afternoon upon the foundations of a new chapel which is being erected by the Radnor Bible Christians. Radnor, a little place near Treleigh, on the outskirts of Redruth, has for some years past had a Bible Christian chapel, but the increase in the congregation rendered a new place of worship necessary. The new chapel will be of classic design, built of stone, the dressings of granite, Bath stone and brick. The entrance will be through a granite porch with doors opening outwards. Internally the building will of good proportion, measuring 37 feet by 23 feet, with a canopied ceiling. The fittings throughout are to be of pitch-pine and selected deal, the pews to be open. The choir will be accommodated in a raised gallery, the walls behind being artistically treated with pilasters and arches and ornamental windows. The site a very pretty corner at the junction of reads- from Redruth and Highway, having a background of fir trees. Provision is being made for the erection of a vestry later on. The accommodation is for 125 and 24 in the choir. The contract has been let to Mr. T. Opie, of Redruth, for the masonry, and Mr. Hart, of Redruth Highway, for the carpentry and joinery, from plans prepared by Mr. Sampson Hill, of Redruth. At the stone-laying ceremony the Rev- J. T. Henwood presided, and he was supported by the Revs. W. H. Bardon, J. Hartley, H. T. B. Goodwin, S. Pascoe (chairman of the district), C. Bridman, Mr. W. Rodda, and others. The Chairman referred to the need for a more commodious place of worship, and the readiness with which friends had come forward to help them. While up to the present they had been known as Bible Christians, the name that would be placed on the front of that new building was ‘The United Methodist Church’, and they were very pleased that along with sister churches they were to merge themselves into one larger church. They believed that that union would mean greater advancement of the work o’ God among them. They were glad that day to have with them representatives of other churches. The site had been given by Mr. Martin Rabey, of Radnor. (Applause.) The Rev. H. T. Goodwin hailed the good time coming when the whole of Methodism would compose one mighty British church, and the Rev. S. Pascoe submitted that it was quite in keeping with the improved social conditions of the people that the Radnor friends should have a beautiful place of worship. He referred to the great improvement that had taken place in the housing the people in that and the adjoining rural districts during the last 50 years. The stones were as follow : ‘Laid by Mr. R. Johns, in memory of his mother’; ‘Laid in memory of Francis Snell’; the stone was laid by the Rev. J. T. Henwood, as there was no relatives of the late Mr. Snell present; ‘Laid by Miss Kathleen Ruth Harris, Redruth,’ ‘ Laid by Mr. Martin Rabey, Radnor;’ ‘ Laid by Mr. T. Pengelly, Redruth:’ ‘Laid by Mr. R. L. Jones, Redruth, in memory of the past;’ ‘Laid by Miss Louie Eade, Treleigh;’ ‘Laid by Miss Janie Rodda, Sparnons Gate;’ ‘Laid Miss Mary E. E. Trestrail, Redruth;’ ‘ Laid by R. C. 8., Sunday School,’ the Rev. J. T. Henwood laid the stone on behalf of the scholars; ‘In memory of Mr. B. Michell’, the stone was laid by Mr. Arthur Michell’; ‘In memory of Mr. John Ellery, Wheal Prussia’, the stone was laid by Capt. John Ellery. The Chairman remarked that they had with them that afternoon Mr. Harvey, of Camborne, who had expressed a desire to lay a stone over the doorway in memory of his wife, who passed away a short time ago. Mr. Harvey spoke briefly respecting his desire in the matter. the evening a meeting was held in the old chapel. Mr. Johns presided, and was supported the Revs. W. H. Barden, J. T. Henwood, C Bridgman, and J. Hartley. The Chairman referred to the good work that had been done in the old chapel, and said there was nothing to fear for the future of the church. … He thought they would agree with him that that was a very fine total It was estimated that the building would cost about £500 He moved a vote of thanks to all who had helped to make that day’s proceed mgs a success. Mr T. Pengelly seconded, and the motion was carried applause.” (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Monday 02 September 1907)
1907: Radnor United Methodist Chapel built.
1908: Radnor United Methodists. Opening of new chapel…” Description of building and of the event included in report. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Thursday 28 May 1908)
Seating for 200. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
1907: The Methodist New Connexion, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Churches amalgamated to become the United Methodist Church.
1907: Radnor United Methodist Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)
Papers, Debt Reduction Scheme, Radnor Chapel, Redruth. Slips of paper printed `Debt Reduction Scheme’. Not dated. (Kresen Kernow X607/98)
1915: Land valuation forms, Radnor Chapel, Redruth. Land valuation forms under Finance Act, dated 1910 and 1915. (Kresen Kernow X607/97)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1930s: Radnor Methodist Chapel closed. (SWChurches)
1936: Radnor Methodist Chapel closed. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
The extension and back houses a coach bodyworks business.