Mapping Methodism – Leedstown Bible Christian Chapel

Leedstown is a village on the B3280 road between Helston and Hayle. It lies 5.5 miles (8.9 km) north-west of Helston and 3 miles (4.8 km) south-east of Hayle. It is located halfway between the north and south coasts. Leedstown got its name from the Duke of Leeds who married the daughter of the St Aubyn Family. This profile of Leedstown Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

Turning right (north) after the WMC into Praze road, a BCC was on the right.

There were Wesleyan and Brianite chapels in Leedstown… (Genuki)

A Bible Christian chapel, 1837, now used as workshop survives in Leedstown. Rendered walls; gable ends. Simple example with two-storey elevations, probably originally galleried. Date plaque to gable of 2-window front end with central doorway. Listed in Stell (b1). (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

The former Bible Christian Chapel (Photo: Paul Phillips)

1837: Build date. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

Built as a Bible Christian chapel. (SWChurches)

July 1858: Camborne Town Band were chosen to entertain at Leedstown for the Bible Christian Sunday School tea treat. (West Briton 6^th August 1858) These were early days for brass bands and it is likely that the cadre still included a few woodwind players.

1862: Memorandum of appointment, new trustees, Leedstown Bible Christian Chapel, Crowan (Kresen Kernow MRPL/151)

Renovations being considered. (The Cornish Telegraph – Wednesday 08 October 1879)

1907: The Methodist New Connexion, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Churches amalgamated to become the United Methodist Church.

c1911: Papers, history of chapel, Leedstown United Methodist Church, Crowan. Letter and memorandum concerning history of chapel, c1911. (Kresen Kernow MRIHY/178)

1913: “Mr. A. Rule, who has been organist at the U.M. church for considerable time, resigned last week, and will take up duties as organist at Leedstown Weslevan chapel. Master David Tonkin, eldest son of Mr. George Tonkin. Connor Downs, has been appointed organist in the place of Mr. Rule.” (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 23 October 1913)

15 Dec 1914: Lease, former Bible Christian Chapel, Leedstown, Crowan. Parties: 1) George Godolphin, Duke of Leeds. 2) Giles Gudge, John Roberts, Samuel Richard Williams, Henry Moyle, Nicholas Thomas Reed, George Reed, Peter Jewell and Thomas Reed, all of Leedstown, Crowan, Trustees. Term: 80 years from 29 September 1914. Rent: 2 shillings 6 pence. Chapel and premises known for many years as the Bible Christian Chapel at Leedstown near the south side of the road leading from Leedstown to Praze in Crowan. Manor of Trenerth, number 95. Read more… (Kresen Kernow RH/1/2369)

World War II: Used as a headquarters by Home Guard. (Paul Phillips)

Used for the poultry section of Leedstown Show. (Paul Phillips)

Probably early to mid-1930s: Closed. (Paul Phillips)