Mapping Methodism – Penryn Primitive Wesleyan Chapel

Penryn is a town on the Penryn River about one mile northwest of Falmouth. This profile of Penryn Primitive Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

Penryn had had a longstanding, Primitive Methodist society which met in a rented chapel. This is the chapel recorded in the return from Penryn Primitive Methodists to the 1851 Census of Places of Public Religious worship. (My Primitive Methodists).

There appears to be confusion in various publications regarding the 1861 and 1878 Primitive Methodist Chapels and an 1877 Church Institute which was destroyed by bombing in the Second World War. We have annotated our statements in an attempt to convey our understanding.

Enemy aircraft were overhead on many occasions during WW2, but only two notable bombings took place. On May 13, 1941 bombing occurred at the junction of Broad Street and Bohill, (Quay Hill) where there is now a memorial garden. The bombing destroyed houses, the Church Institute and there was significant loss of life with 18 persons being killed. On September 6, 1941 two large parachute mines were dropped, only one person was injured..

https://www.penryncornwall.com/military.htm

 

1861 Primitive Methodist Chapel

1860: Following the initiative of Bro. R Killingrey, the Primitive Methodists bought and demolished a house at Fish Cross and in its place built a chapel and school room (1861). This was opposite the Fish Cross (see map). and was presumably succeeded by the chapel at the bottom of this hill (see map).

We feel safe in locating the first Primitive Methodist Chapel in the area of the Fish Cross as multiple historical documents back this.

Included for interest but not relevant to the Primitive Methodists. This locates the area known as Fish Cross. The chapel of the Virgin Mary was established before 1322. On December 2nd, 1374, the chapel (now known as St Thomas) was licensed for the inhabitants of the town of Penryn. In 1546, with the dissolution of Glasney Church, the chapel was appropriated to the Crown and known again as St Mary’s. It was abolished in 1549 and demolished in 1676. There is some debate about its location. Some have suggested that it is the site of the present museum. However, research suggests a location further east. A cross head, now sited by the museum entrance, was originally located at the junction of Broad Street and St Thomas’ Street, strengthening this as the likely location of the Chapel.

The chapel built 1860 at the bottom [top] of St. Thomas street. This building was acquired by Roman Catholics and destroyed by bombing in 1941. (Penryn Genealogy) It is considered that the stated location is incorrect and that this building had no connection with the Primitive Methodists. The 1941 bombing referred to, happened at the Bohill / Broad Street junction where there is a memorial garden and where there was an institute lost in the bombing. However, there may be possible confusion with described bomb damage to the 1878 building which is not destroyed and was for a short while owned by the Catholic Church.

The Penryn History website states that the chapel built in 1860 at the bottom of St Thomas street was destroyed by bombing in 1941. Again, this is considered incorrect as the chapel at the bottom of St Thomas Street is still standing. It was the Church Institute at the Bohill / Broad Street junction that was destroyed by bombing.  However, there is possible confusion with described bomb damage to the later building.

A Primitive Methodist chapel was built in 1860. (Genuki)

28 May 1861: Demise by way of mortgage, dwelling house converted into a Primitive Methodist chapel, Penryn. Parties: 1) Edward Peter Whitford of Falmouth, cordwainer, Charles Annear of Penryn, labourer, John Pascoe of Penryn, stone worker, John Rawlings of Falmouth, mason, John Philip Christopher of Falmouth, cordwainer, Thomas Peters of Falmouth, baker, John Carne Jenkin of Falmouth, carpenter, James Cock of Penryn, miller, James Russell of Penryn, ropemaker, Charles Williams of Falmouth, carpenter, and Samuel Lavin of Penryn, labourer. 2) George Appleby Jenkins of Penryn, gentleman. 1) to 2): dwelling house opposite the fish cross lately converted into a Primitive Methodist chapel and schoolroom. (Kresen Kernow X263/77)

History of Fish Cross: (https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1020451)

Church Institute, Quay Hill: This appear to be unconnected with the Primitive Methodists. 1 Apr 1918: Assignment of lease, houses and church institute, Riverview, Quay Hill, Penryn. Parties: 1) Thomas George Rickard, steam laundry proprietor, of Falmouth 2) Benjamin Annear, JP. Assignment of 99 years lease by 1) to 2) of property leased in 1877 to mayor and burgesses, assigned in 1881 by mayor and burgesses to Thomas John Rickard, who cleared land and built three houses and the church institute on the site, now known as 1, 2 and 3 Riverview, and the church institute. Consideration: £320. (Kresen Kernow BPENR/256)

5 May 1882: Deed of trust of the Penryn Church Institute. (Kresen Kernow P72/2/30)

Throughout the 1920s and 30s the British Legion branch headquarters were in the Church Institute at Quay Hill until it was destroyed by bombing in 1941.

 

1878 Thomas Street Primitive Methodist Chapel

Former Penryn Primitive Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis 2021)

Late C19 Primitive Methodist example, altered to create workshop, now converted to residential accommodation with some reinstatement of features. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

From Higher Market Street, turn down St Thomas Street and the Chapel can be seen at the bottom of the hill.

This chapel is marked on early maps as a Primitive Methodist Chapel this was built in 1878, with 400 sittings.

1877: Land sold to Reverend Jacob Pilling, Truro of the Primitive Methodist Connection for purchasing and erecting a chapel, Summer Court, Penryn

1878: Certificate of registration, St Thomas Street Primitive Methodist Chapel, Penryn. Certificate of registration as place of religious worship. (Kresen Kernow MRF/561)

1902 Title deed for the Primitive Methodist Connexion

1920: Insurance policy, workmen’s compensation, St Thomas Street Primitive Methodist Church, Penryn. (Kresen Kernow MRF/395)

Between 1909 and 1932, there was multiple changes of ownership of the land and cottages around the chapel, with a trustee of the chapel (Reverend Freer Bell) eventually buying land adjoining the chapel in 1920.

1923: New Trustees

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

1932: Became Thomas Street Methodist Church.

1932: Part of Falmouth Methodist Circuit.

In 1932 this land, with a cottage, on the western side of the chapel, was sold to the Plymouth Roman Catholic Trustees, and it appears the Chapel and Sunday school room were also to be sold to the Roman Catholics. By 1939, the Chapel is described as bomb damaged and this is also the dated closure of the chapel (Kresen Kernow).

In 1949 it was sold by the Catholic Church to a local merchant and then on in 1950, to a local builder.

Converted to a (car) workshop. In 1976 there is a lease for the chapel and adjoining lean to, for the buildings to be used in repair of motor vehicles.

https://kresenkernow.org/SOAP/detail/a383e9c4-6115-48e2-8397-4360433c1ef3/?tH=%5B%22bohill%22%5D

At some point it may also have hosted the New Life Elim Church.

Converted to housing called The Old Chapel.