Mapping Methodism – Goldsithney Wesleyan Chapel

Goldsithney is a village in west Cornwall on the B3280 at grid reference SW546306, about four miles east of Penzance and one mile east of Marazion. It is in the civil parish of Perranuthnoe and St Hilary. This profile of Goldsithney Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

1842 Chapel

Wesleyan chapel, built 1841, had central round-arched entrance with double doors and fanlight, and three round-arched upper windows; extended to the rear. Granite ashlar. Demolished 1984! New chapel now on same site. Listed and illustrated in Stell (b1). (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

Non-Conformist. The Wesleyan Methodists and Association Methodists each had a chapel in Goldsithney. (Genuki)

Goldsithney Wesleyan chapel (Photo: courtesy Nell Pascoe)

1842: Build date. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

The chapel was built as a Wesleyan chapel. (SWChurches)

It was part of Marazion Wesleyan Circuit. (SWChurches)

1901: “GOLDSITHNEY WESLEYAN CHAPEL RE-OPENED. The Nature of the Work Done. The chapel bas been entirely re-seated on a modern scale. All the seating is of red pine and the pew-ends moulded pitch pine. Umbrella stands are also fixed throughout. At the entrance a bold red and pitch pine partition has been erected with diagonal panels, the top part being of tinted glass. There is also a very nice tile floor laid in the lobby and new stairs with pitch pine handrail and balusters to match, all of which give the entrance a bright and attractive appearance. At the rear of chapel there has been constructed an organ chamber and choir vestry, and under these there is large vestry from which the choir enter and go the choir-vestry and organ loft. The complete contract has been carried out by Mr. John Miners, builder. Marazion. Mr. R. Mitchell executed the carpenters’ work, and Mr. T. Peak, Penzance, the painting and decorating. The work has been carried out under the supervision of the architect, Mr. W. G. Rowe, Marazion.” (Cornishman – Thursday 11 July 1901)

1901: “RE-OPENING OF GOLDSITHNEY WESLEYAN CHAPEL. Nearly a century has passed since the Wesleyan Chapel at Goldsithney was erected by a number of devout followers of John Wesley. During that time the structure has been gradually enlarged; and the membership and Sunday school having increased as the years rolled by the want of additional accommodation has been constantly felt. Recently Mr. William Sampson – an aged resident and one who has for many years been a zealous support of the cause – presented a piece of freehold at the rear of the building to the Society. This kindly gilt was thankfully accepted and the work of erecting vestries commenced in April. Not only that; the chapel interior has undergone thorough renovation, being reseated and painted in modern style. The work has been neatly executed Messrs. John Miners and Richard Mitchell, of Marazion…” (Cornishman – Thursday 11 July 1901)

1901: Goldsithney Wesleyan chapel registered for solemnising marriages. (Cornishman – Thursday 22 August 1901)

1920: Stained glass commemorative windows – incorporated into the 1984 chapel.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/33567

https://www.cornishstainedglass.org.uk/mgsnona/window.xhtml?churchid=370&locid=232

1920: “Goldsithney celebrated their Sunday school festival on Saturday. The school was instituted 1818. Headed by Camborne Town Silver Prize Band, the superintendents (Messrs. J. Williams and H. H. Griffin), and the teachers and scholars …” (16 June 1920 – Cornishman)

1932: Goldsithney Wesleyan Methodists: “… annual Sunday school festival. The weather, unfortunately, was very unfavourable. After a parade, headed by Penzance Silver Prize Band, the children were provided with buns and tea. This was followed by a public tea, at which a good number sat down.” (9 June 1932 – Cornishman)

1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.

1932: Became Goldsithney Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

It was part of Marazion Methodist Circuit from 1932 and later Mounts Bay Methodist Circuit. (SWChurches)

Note the ornate railings which were removed during WWII.

1940: Seating for 460. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1984: Demolished. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

1984: Chapel considered to be in a dangerous condition – demolished. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

 

1984 Chapel

Goldsithney Methodist Church (Photo: Jo Lewis)

1983-1984: File, reconstruction of chapel, Goldsithney Methodist Church, Perranuthnoe.  (Kresen Kernow MRMB/49)

1983-1984: File, reconstruction of chapel. Goldsithney. Methodist Church, Perranuthnoe. Contract drawings and planning approval. (Kresen Kernow MRMB/50)

22^nd July 1984: Foundation stone laid.

Reconstruction of the chapel (1983 – 1984) on the same site.

1984: Chapel build date – on site of earlier chapel. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1983/1984: Chapel rebuilt. (SWChurches)

A smaller, single storey, building.

Goldsithney Methodist Church (Photo: Paul Phillips)