Bridge is a village between Redruth and Portreath. This profile of Bridge Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
The earliest Methodist society locally was the Nancekuke society founded in 1774. One of the original 1774 members of the Bridge Meeting House was Samuel Phillips, a miller. He had heard John Wesley preach and was a local preacher himself.
1791: There were 92 members.
1814: The “Great Revival” and the small chapel which existed at Bridge was too small. (Portreath by Michael Tangye)
Mine Captain Thomas Garland Senior of Cambrose responsible for building a larger chapel to seat 800. (Portreath by Michael Tangye)
1814: Build date. (SWChurches)
Built as a Wesleyan chapel (SWChurches)
Wesleyan Methodist chapel. C20 remodelling of early C19 Wesleyan chapel in an unspoilt hamlet. Opened in 1816. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
It was a simple building with cold stone floors, a gallery around three sides, a pulpit, bare benchesand remained unpainted for 12 years. (Portreath by Michael Tangye)
Part of Redruth Wesleyan Circuit. (SWChurches)
1816: Opened. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Bridge Methodist Church. (SWChurches)
Part of the Redruth Methodist Circuit. (SWChurches)
1939: Bridge Sunday School tea treat: “…with tea and buns and a public tea was also served. In the evening games were played and music was rendered by Camborne Military Band, under Mr C C Oxland, native of Illogan.” (6 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
2 Aug 1958: Collections for roofing and renovation fund, Bridge Methodist Church, Illogan. Collector: W R Harris. (Kresen Kernow MRR/1572)
1960: Roof replaced and other renovations.
It was probably lowered in height at this time. A photo of the original appears in Portreath by Michael Tangye.
Bridge Wesleyan Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)
1961: Re-opened.
1958-1961: Papers, renovation of Bridge Methodist Church, Illogan. (Kresen Kernow MRR/1312)
1980: Some pews were removed and space created for the growing Sunday school.
1 Jul 1986: Covering letter, return of deeds, Bridge Methodist Church, Illogan. Letter from Methodist Chapel Aid Association to Reverend J Hunkin, returning deeds of chapel on liquidation of loan. (Kresen Kernow MRR/1584)
1999: Bridge CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY: Bridge Methodist Church, built on the present site in 1816, celebrated its anniversary on Sunday. (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 04 February 1999)
2016: Chapel active but, subsequently, members united with Paynters Lane End and Redruth to form a single new society, known as Gateway, Porth an Dre, meeting in Redruth.
The chapel is to be demolished and replaced with housing.