Mapping Methodism – Breage United Methodist Free Church

Breage is a village three miles (5 km) west of Helston. This profile of Breage UMFC has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

John Wesley, the great Methodist preacher, visited Breage in 1750 and many converted to Methodism. Chapels were built in the village, today only one remains open.

John Wesley preached at Breage five times between 1750 and 1765. He wrote in his journal on September 5th 1755, ‘I had given no notice of preaching here, but, seeing the poor people flock from every side, I could not send them empty away. So I preached a small distance from the house, and besought them to consider our ‘great High Priest’, who is passed through into the heavens.’ And none opened his mouth, for the lions of Breage too are now changed into lambs. That they were so fierce ten years ago is no wonder, since their wretched minister told them from the pulpit (seven years before I resigned my fellowship) that ‘John Wesley was expelled the College for a base child, and had been quite amazed ever since; that all the Methodists, at their private societies, put out the lights etc,’ with abundance more of the same kind. But a year or two since it was observed he grew thoughtful and melancholy, and, about nine months ago, he went into his own necessary house – and hanged himself.’ (http://ukwells.org/wells/breage)

William Carvosso (see this website) wrote in his journal in April 1817, ‘On my way back, I called for the first time on Mr Glasson Sr at Breage. Here I saw the power of God displayed in convincing and converting many sinners. Several backsliders were restored, and four laid hold on the blessing of perfect love.’ It is probable that Breage would have been touched by the revival in 1823 in the Helston circuit. (http://ukwells.org/wells/breage)

Non-Conformist. There were chapels in Breage belonging to the Wesleyan Methodists, Bible Christians, and the Methodist New Connexion. (https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CON/Breage)

Former chapel and later a members’ Social & Snooker Club – Steve Davies and many others played there. (Photo: Paul Phillips)

… quoins (at the corners of buildings), lintels (above doors and windows) and keystones – good examples include the listed cottages on Pellor Road. Notably the Social Club (former chapel) on Shute Hill has brick to the top of its windows.

Wesleyan chapel, later institute, now club. Probably mid C19 but remodelled late C19 and again late C20. Granite rubble with granite and brick dressings. Gothic style windows with Y-traceried heads flanking gabled porch to front with blocked opening above porch. (Cornwall Council Heritage gateway)

1 Mar 1872: Lease, Wesleyan Methodist Free Church, Breage churchtown, Breage. Parties: 1) Granville George, Earl Granville, Mark Millbank of Thorp Perrow, Bedale, Yorkshire, esquire, and The Reverend George Townshend Hudson of Harthill, Yorkshire, clerk, trustees of the will of Francis Godolphin D’arcy, Duke of Leeds, deceased. 2) George Godolphin Osborne, Duke of Leeds. 3) William Penrose of Helston, grocer, Edwin Anthony of Helston, gentleman, John Bennetts Nicholas of Breage, carpenter, and George Henry Carter of Wendron, gentleman. Term: 60 years. Rent: 10 shillings. Building registered as a place of religious worship of the Wesleyan Methodist Free Church in Breage churchtown, with a waste plot lying between the west end of the building and the highway. Part of number 95, Manor of Godolphin. Read more… (Kresen Kernow RH/1/1510)

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)

1908: The United Methodist of Breage re-opened their chapel on Sunday after renovation. (Cornishman – Thursday 06 August 1908) (Probably transferred to the Wesleyans by now but the newspaper continues to refer to it by its previous name)

1908: No longer marked on maps as a chapel.

(The date of change of use to an institute remains elusive.)

1973: Marked as an Institute on maps.