Mapping Methodism – Quenchwell (Chycowling) first Bible Christian Chapel

Quenchwell is a short distance north of Carnon Downs. This profile of the Quenchwell (Chycowling) first Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

A Bible Christian chapel is recorded at this location in Chycowling on the 1st Edition 1:2500 1880 OS Map. By 1907 a new chapel 138037 had been built to the east, the old chapel becoming a Sunday school. Now demolished and replaced by a modern dwelling. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

The original Bible Christian chapel was built on the road (now Chyreen Lane) at the corner with a track north in the 19th century. Marked as a Bible Christian Chapel on 1880 maps, the building then became the Sunday school for the 1906 Quenchwell Chapel.

Quenchwell Bible Christian Chapel (profiled separately) replaced this earlier chapel at Chycowling which subsequently became the Sunday school for the new chapel. (Cornish Methodists and other non-conforming chapels in Cornwall)

For 1906 chapel see: http://cornishstory.com/2022/02/14/mapping-methodism-quenchwell-1906-bible-christian-chapel/

19th century: The Bible Christians built a chapel at Chycowling. (SWChurches)

1899: “At Quenchwell Bible Christian Sunday School anniversary sermons were preached morning and evening by Mr. Tredinnick, of St Agnes, and afternoon by Mr. C. Lobb, of Ponsanooth to large congregations. Miss B. Dunstan presided at the harmonium. On the Monday the annual festival was held. The children formed in procession, and headed by the Twelveheads Brass and Reed Band, marched to Carnon Downs, afterwards returning to a field, where they were regaled with tea, cake, &c, and were suitably entertained by the officers and teachers…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 22 June 1899)

1906: Replacement chapel built a short distance away on the corner of Quenchwell Road and Bissoe Road. (SWChurches)

The former chapel became the Sunday School. (SWChurches)

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

(Photo: courtesy Roy Woolcock)

1908: The Sunday School procession (Photo: courtesy Roy Woolcock)

1919: Quenchwell United Methodist Tea Treat – Fred Woolcock (possible) on right with flat cap and buttonhole (Photo: courtesy Phil Woolcock)

1919: Quenchwell United Methodist Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy Roy Woolcock)

Circa 1932: Quenchwell United Methodist Tea Treat – Roy Woolcock, is second from left with mug in hand and drinking (Photo: courtesy Phil Woolcock)

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

Chapel/Sunday school demolished and replaced by a dwelling. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

The house looks like a modern rebuild but we were told by a local person that it was once the old Sunday School, and certainly the template appears the same. The rails and gateposts are really very grand.

(Photo: Jo Lewis)