Mapping Methodism – Constantine Wesleyan Methodist Church

Constantine is a village approximately five miles west-southwest of Falmouth. This profile of Constantine Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

Located in Fore Street.

There was a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, built in 1835, the front of which is well-wrought granite ashlar. (Genuki)

 

Built as a Wesleyan chapel. (SWChurches)

Constantine Wesleyan Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis 2021)

Fairly large Wesleyan chapel with single-storey auditorium over schoolroom (now converted to community centre), relating to small vestry and stables with original 16-pane sash windows that may be the earlier chapel. Fine granite ashlar front. Italianate style with centre bay (under pediment) broken forward over 3-bay loggia. Sashes to side elevations; forecourt walls and gate-piers. Interior has horse-shoe galleried seating with grained panelled benches; rostrum, choir gallery and organ. Very good example. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

Photo of chapel: https://www.flickr.com/photos/147645911@N08/50627502751/

1879: Tenders invited for new schoolroom and classroom. (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 31 July 1879)

Marked as a Wesleyan Chapel on early maps.

1880: Date shown. (Cornwall Council Heritage Gateway)

CONSTANTINE Wesleyan Chapel. This beautiful chape!, which has recently been erected in the middle of the village, will be opened on Sunday, when special services will be held; the Rev. John Bond, of Liberationist fame, being the preacher. Every convenience has been attended to whilst rebuilding this place of worship. There is a massive granite front, with well-proportioned portico of three openings. On the ground floor are the Sunday-school and various classrooms. Above is the chapel, approached by staircases and containing rising seats, but without gallery. The interior is lighted by a large western window of several lights. The building is, without exception, the finest in the Helston Circuit. (Cornishman – Thursday 30 June 1881)

23 Aug 1889: Charity Commission order, removal and appointment of trustees. Order for the removal and appointment of trustees of the Wesleyan chapel at Constantine, plus one copy. (Kresen Kernow AD1246/1)

1898: Re-opened after extensive alterations: (Cornishman – Thursday 10 November 1898)

1879-1900: Trust Minutes, Constantine Wesleyan Chapel. (Kresen Kernow MRH/20)

1909: Memorandum of appointment of new trustees, Constantine Wesleyan Chapel.

Memorandum of choice and appointment of new trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Constantine; made 27 July 1909, registered by the Wesleyan Chapel Committee, 4 Aug 1909. (Kresen Kernow AD1246/2)

20 Oct 1924: Conveyance in reversion of fee, Constantine Wesleyan Chapel. Parties: 1) Colonel Sir Courteney Bourchier Vyvyan of Trelowarren, baronet 2) The Commercial Union Assurance Company Limited, London 3) Reverend Clement Henry Chapman, superintendent preacher in the circuit of the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion 4) Thomas Bishop, retired stonemason; Thomas Henry Jenkin, stonemason; and Joseph Thomas Tremayne, both of Brill Water, Alfred Walters, retired farmer; William James Rowe of Trevassack, farmer; George Trethowan of Polpenwith, farmer; Thomas John Howard Penlerick of Trecombe, farmer and Arthur James Williams of Bridge, general merchant, all of the parish of Constantine; William John Mitchel of Gooningey, St Gluvias, farmer. 1) and 2) to 4) Plot or piece of land with the chapel or building erected thereon now used as a place of religious worship, with the outbuildings, offices and premises belonging thereto, known as the Wesleyan chapel situated in the churchtown of Constantine, with plan. £37 10 shillings. (Kresen Kernow AD1246/3)

1929: Memorandum of appointment of new trustees, Constantine Wesleyan Chapel. Memorandum of choice and appointment of new trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel at Constantine, made 3 Oct 1929, registered by the Wesleyan Chapel committee 16 Oct 1929. (Kresen Kernow AD1246/4)

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

1932: Became Constantine Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

1940: Seating for 350. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1902-1942: Trust Minutes, Constantine Methodist Church. (Kresen Kernow MRH/21)

1947-1948: Declaration, model deed, Constantine Methodist Church. Declaration by the trustees of the Constantine Methodist Church adopting the ‘New Model Deed’, pursuant to section 17 of the Methodist Union Act, 1929. Made 30 December 1947, registered by the Methodist chapel committee, 31 March 1948. (Kresen Kernow AD1246/6)

1949-1950: Memorandum of appointment of new trustees, Constantine Methodist Church. Memorandum of choice and appointment of new trustees of the Methodist Chapel at Constantine, made 25 October 1949, registered by the Methodist chapel committee, 13 January 1950. (Kresen Kernow AD1246/7)

1973: Photograph, Constantine Methodist Church. (Kresen Kernow X540/4)

1973: Memorandum of appointment of new trustees, Constantine Methodist Church. Memorandum of choice and appointment of new trustees of the Methodist chapel at Constantine, made 24 April 1973, registered by the Methodist chapel committee, 12 July.

1973. (Kresen Kernow AD1246/8)

1943-1976: Trust minutes, Constantine Methodist Church. (Kresen Kernow MRH/49)

1998: Closed. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

Congregation worshipped in the Community Centre. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

Became Community Centre. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1977-2005: Minutes, Church Council, Constantine Methodist Church. (Kresen Kernow MRF/1073)

A social enterprise, Constantine Enterprises Company, bought the former Methodist chapel in 1998. A wide range of social and cultural events happen there, all run by volunteers. The building is now known as the Tolmen Centre. https://tolmencentre.co.uk/news/

The Tolmen Centre has hosted three editions of an international guitar festival, that has attracted a range of concert performers.

February 2008. “The upstairs theatre space in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was being revamped, which meant the altar rails had to be removed so the workmen could go about their business. When they detached them we discovered the tops of the altar rails, the tormentors, had pencil marks all over them. On closer inspection we found them to be the signatures of the workmen who built the Chapel around 1880.”