Mabe is situated one mile (1.6 km) west of Penryn. Trenoweth Wesleyan Chapel, Mabe Burnthouse has been profiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
Trenoweth Wesleyan Chapel is located on Antron Hill, Mabe Burnthouse.
Wayside Wesleyan chapel, now converted to house. Pedimented dressed granite front end with round-arched openings, traceried windows and panelled doors. A reasonably successful conversion. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)
Trenoweth Wesleyan Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)
1868: “TO BUILDERS. Tenders are required for the ERECTION of a WESLEYAN CHAPEL, MABE. Plans and specifications may be seen Mr. J. GULLEYS, Burnt House, from Monday, 18th, to Thursday, 21st instant. TENDERS to be sent to Mr. NICHOLAS WINN. Burnt House, Mabe. on Tuesday, 26th instant. The Trustees do not bind themselves to accept the lowest Tender. Dated May 12th, 1868.” (Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser – Saturday 23 May 1868)
1868: Build date. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway / Plaque / SWChurches)
Built as a Wesleyan chapel. (SWChurches)
Part of Falmouth Wesleyan Circuit. (SWChurches)
1872: “TO BUILDERS, MASONS, & CARPENTERS. Tenders are invited for the ENLARGEMENT of MABE WESLEYAN CHAPEL. Plans and specifications may be seen and all further particulars had at the house of Mr. John Bowden, at Long Downs, Mabe. Persons desirous of Tendering for the work, either together or separately, must send their Tenders to the house of Mr. George Dunstan, at Londonwells, Stithians, near Penryn, on or before the 24th day of April, 1872. Not bound to accept the lowest or any tender. Dated this 2nd day of April, 1872.” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Saturday 13 April 1872)
1884: “MABE. Wesley chapel, which has been closed for some time, was reopened Thursday last…” (Cornishman – Thursday 18 September 1884)
1898: New organ. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 02 September 1898)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Trenoweth Methodist Church. (SWChurches)
1932: Part of Falmouth Methodist Circuit. (SWChurches)
1940: Seating for 200. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
Up until 1991 services were held in this building at the top of Antron Hill, but several winter storms damaged the roof and the cost of maintaining the building became too high.
Tue 21 Feb 1995: Planning Permission granted for conversion of chapel and schoolroom to a dwelling and workshop. (Bespoke furniture maker and ceramic artist)
1996: Closed. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
Became a house and workshop. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian
Congregation worshipped in village hall. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
The Methodists relocated – initially into the original community hall, being an old portacabin classroom. The seating, crockery and even fire extinguishers from the old Chapel were transferred at the time for use in the Hall.
1997: Following Mabe Youth and Community Project’s acquisition of the land in Cunningham Park and the construction of a new community hall, the Methodist congregation moved to there.