Mapping Methodism – Ashton United Methodist Free Church

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 UMFC 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)

 

1802 Chapel

There is mention of a chapel in Middle Row which is now a dwelling. Our assumption is that it was a UMFC in use before the 1842 chapel was built. If you know different then please let us know.

1802: Build date according to SWChurches. (Possibly in Middle Row)

 

1842 Chapel

Ashton UMFC (Photo: Paul Phillips)

Located on the corner of Higher Lane and Prospect Place.

Free Methodist chapel, refenestrated late C19. Colour-washed rubble with half-hipped roof; round-arched windows with horned sashes with traceried heads; gabled porch at 2-window entrance end. Small walled courtyard with colour -washed rubble walls and granite monolith gate-piers. Good unspoilt example (b1). (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

1842: Build date. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

Built as a United Methodist Free Church. (SWChurches)

1886: “A letter was received from the Rev. J. E Hargreaves, of Porthleven in relation to the proposed exchange of Chapels at Breage and Ashton respectively, by which the Ashton Wesleyan Chapel would be relinquished in favour of the Free Methodists of that village, and the Free Methodist Chapel of Breage Churchtown pass into the hands of the Wesleyans. The principle was approved, but although the Wesleyans had appointed a committee, the Free Methodist Society at Breage had not been consulted and there were difficulties in the way. It was directed that the communication of Mr. Hargreaves should be acknowledged, and there for the present the matter rests.” (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 14 October 1886) (There seems to be no evidence that this actually happened at Ashton)

1892: Concert in Ashton Free Methodist Chapel. (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 31 March 1892)

1897: Memorandum of appointment, new trustees, Ashton United Methodist Free Church, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/215)

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)

1897-1909: Trust minutes, Ashton United Methodist Church, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/216)

1911: Ashton United Methodist Church be transferred to the Porthleven Circuit. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 20 July 1911)

1914: Forms, land valuation, Ashton United Methodist Church, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/218)

1928: Forms, tithe rent charge redemption, Ashton United Methodist Church, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/219)

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

1932: Became Ashton Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

1940: Seating for 140. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1957: Correspondence, agreement to become trustee, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. Letters to and from F Carter. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/220)

1957: Consent forms, trustees, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. Consent from those being appointed as trustees. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/222)

1957: Agreement, installation of electricity, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/221)

1959: Certificate of registration, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. Certificate of registration as place of religious worship. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/223)

1959: Certificate of registration, marriages, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. Certificate of registration to conduct marriages. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/224)

1980s: Trust schedule B, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. Kresen Kernow MRMB/178)

13 Dec 1985: Quotation, repairs to roof, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. Quotation from Sowden Brothers, Padstow for re-roofing chapel flat roof. (Kresen Kernow MRMB/173)

13 Oct 1987: Trust Schedule A, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRMB/176)

12 Oct 1987: Trust schedule B, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage: (Kresen Kernow MRMB/177)

20 Apr 1988: Trust certificate G, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRMB/179)

1964-1988: Trust minutes, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/103)

28 Jun 1988: Quinquennial inspection report, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. Report on structural survey of premises. (Kresen Kernow MRMB/180)

1989: Closed. (SWChurches)

Feb 1988-Sep 1992: Correspondence, Sunday School, Ashton Methodist Church, Breage. Use of Sunday School premises by St Aubyn’s Playgroup, insurance, sale and conversion of chapel premises. (Kresen Kernow MRMB/182)

16 Apr 1993: Documents relating to sale, Ashton Methodist Chapel, (Kresen Kernow MRLB/125)

Used to store fishing tackle. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)