Ashton is a village in the civil parish of Breage on the A394 Penzance-Helston road one mile north-east of Praa Sands. This profile of Ashton Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
“Today none of the original four chapels in Ashton are used for religious purposes, reflecting a general trend in falling attendances. The old [(Bible Christian] chapel in Prospect Row now houses the Men’s Institute, they originally used a wooden building located in front of Palm House. The local blacksmith worked from another in Chapel Row [probably Prospect Place], and this is now used as a net loft. The others in Middle Row and West End [Wesleyan] have become dwellings.” (Ashton & Germoe Circular: walkshttps://www.germoeparishcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ashton-germoe-circular.pdf)
First Chapel
The first Bible Christian Chapel seems to have been a wooden building in front of Palm House.
Supposition: Palm House may now be Palm Tree House. Interestingly, the palm trees are gone but comparison with Google street view identifies it as marked (confirmed by name above door).
Supposition: Circa 1910 photo which shows the same building (See the very young palm tree in the garden) and it looks like it was a shop (Marks). And there is a wooden building in the front yard of it which may have been where the first BCC located: http://cornishmemory.com/item/WAT_02_248
Circa 1920 photo where the palm tree is bigger and the wooden building has gone: http://cornishmemory.com/item/WAT_02_247
Second Chapel
Zion Chapel in Prospect Row.
1879: Funds being raised for renovations: (The Cornish Telegraph – Tuesday 29 April 1879)
Built as a Bible Christian chapel. (SWChurches)
Build date 1883. (Plaque)
1884: Schedule, Zion Bible Christian Chapel, Ashton, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/227)
1902-1903: Accounts, redecoration and building work, Zion Bible Christian Chapel, Ashton, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/228)
1905: Receipt, insurance premium, Zion Bible Christian Chapel, Ashton, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/230.
1905: Memorandum of appointment, new trustees, Zion Bible Christian Chapel, Ashton, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/229)
1904-1907: Receipts, interest on loan, Zion Bible Christian Chapel, Ashton, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/231)
1907: map shows location. but it is not marked on the earlier – can be seen on Google maps.
1907: The Methodist New Connexion, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Churches amalgamated to become the United Methodist Church.
1907: Became a United Methodist Church (SWChurches)
1907: Closed following union. (David Easton Methodist Minister and historian)
1914: Land valuation form(er), Zion United Methodist Church, Ashton, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/232)
1914: Marked as an institute on map.
1935: President’s consent, sale of Zion United Methodist Church, Ashton, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/233)
1973: Marked as an institute (men’s Institute) and an old sign on the wall states Ashton Snooker Club.