Mapping Methodism – Mylor Bridge Primitive Methodist / Bible Christian Chapel
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Mylor Bridge is a village in Mylor civil parish at the head of Mylor Creek, about five miles north of Falmouth. This profile of Mylor Primitive / Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
Heading briefly up Passage Hill, you can find this old chapel on the right.
Early maps show an Ebenezer chapel (Primitive Methodist) set back slightly from the road with a narrow forecourt (as this building) but by 1907 this is marked as a Bible Christian Chapel. There are suggestions that an alternate build was originally intended with old plans.
David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian, suggests that it may have initially been a Primitive Methodist Chapel.
Uncertain build date. There is a plaque which states Bible Christian Chapel 1862 but whether this was the build date or when it became Bible Christian we do not know. Another possibility is that the plaque was set in place more recently without the knowledge that it had been a Primitive Methodist chapel.
(Photo: Jo Lewis 2021)
Became Mylor Bridge Bible Christian Chapel. (SWChurches) This may have been 1862 or some other date.
1879/80: Map shows it as Ebenezer Chapel – Primitive Methodist. (old-maps.co.uk)
1880: Map shows it as Ebenezer Chapel – Primitive Methodist. (old-maps.co.uk)
1901: “FALMOUTH AND BIBLE CHRISTIANS. Held at Penryn, the pastor, the Rev. J. Drew, presiding. The financial statement, as presented by the stewards, was accepted. Steps were taken for appointing additional trustees for Mylor Chapel, with the view to developing the scheme for building a new chapel.” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 04 April 1901)
1906: Plans and elevations etc of proposed chapel on RIBA site:
1906/07: Build date of new chapel.
1906: “For years past little congregation attending the Mylor Bible Christian chapel have looked forward with longing eyes the time when they would be able to erect a new chapel in which to worship. It cannot be denied that the present small and almost barn-like building has been the scene of good work, but there just cause for the yearning of the members possess place more worthy of the Christian Church. The coming of the Kev. J. A. Dobson, the pastor of the Falmouth Bible Christian circuit, Into the district, seems to have been the signal for the commencement of the effort. The Rev. J. A. Dobson a minister full of enthusiasm, and he has succeeded imparting portion of it into the hearts of the members of the Bible Christian Church at Mylor Bridge. Recognising the need for a better chapel, the rev. gentleman set to work to put the scheme for building new one into shape. The difficulty of the site was got over by the presentation of plot of ground adjoining the present chapel by the late Colonel Tremayne to the trustees. Plans were prepared, but the estimated cost was more than the officials deemed advisable to undertake, in view of the financial condition of the little church. There was, however, a feeling that a new building was absolutely essential, and plans on less costly scale were prepared by Mr. J. P. Jenkins, of Penryn. At a meeting of the members of the congregation it was felt that even the more modified plans would involve the laying out of heavy amount, but sufficient enthusiasm was displayed to warrant the contract for the erection of the new building being entrusted Mr. W. H. Moyle, of Chacewater. The new sanctuary will adjoin the present chapel, and will be one-third larger than the old structure. It will seat about 150 people, its dimensions being 41 feet by 37 feet. There will be a raised orchestra from the floor, and two aisles and vestibule. The organ and choir will be behind the preacher, and a minister’s vestry will be built between the two chapels. The rostrum will consist of pitchpine, whilst the seats will be of red deal with pitchpine ends and varnished. It is intended to use the old building as a Sunday school-room. The foundation-stone laying proceedings were held Friday. Fine weather favoured the ceremony, and there was a large gathering of persons of all denominations the parish, who were anxious to show their appreciation of the effort… He did not think anyone who had been inside present building would say that their Bible Christian friends at Mylor had not needed new chapel for some years past. They bought the building they now worshipped in from someone else a good many years ago and its value had not increased as years went on. The need of a schoolroom has been very urgently felt for a long time, and after good many hopes and fears they had arrived at the laying of the foundation stones of the new building. It was day of great rejoicing to many of them. They expected the new building would cost about £4OO. Already their friends had raised about £8O through various efforts, and during the past few months bad been making great preparation for that day. They hoped to raise least £5O as result of that day’s proceedings. They rejoiced in the presence of Captain W. Tremayne amongst them. Captain Tremayne was the lord of the manor, and occupied a deservingly high position in the whole of the parish of Mylor. They were glad to see him not only for his own sake, but for the hearty respect they always bore for his lamented father, who passed away a little while ago… It was hoped that the building would be ready about next Whitsuntide. The new chapel would not be one of the largest, but it would be the prettiest building in the circuit. They decidedly believed in beautiful buildings…” (Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser – Friday 30 November 1906)
Built as a Bible Christian chapel. (SWChurches) Possibly incorrect.
Following the construction of the new chapel, the old Primitive/Bible Christian building became the Sunday school.
1907: The Methodist New Connexion, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Churches amalgamated to become the United Methodist Church.
1907: Became Mylor Bridge United Methodist Church, Passage Hill. (SWChurches)
1917: Application, chapel loan fund, Mylor Bridge United Methodist Church, Mylor. (Kresen Kernow MRF/391)
1920: Memorandum of loan, Mylor Bridge United Methodist Church, Mylor. Loan from Chapel Loan Fund. (Kresen Kernow MRF/392)
1926: Fire insurance policy, Mylor Bridge United Methodist Church, Mylor. (Kresen Kernow MRF/393)
1929: Trust schedule, Mylor Bridge United Methodist Church, Mylor. (Kresen Kernow MRF/394)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Mylor Bridge Methodist Church. (SWChurches)
Seating for 140. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
1934: Closed. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)