Mapping Methodism – Treglidgwith Bible Christian Chapel

Treglidgwith is a hamlet near to and east of Constantine. This profile of Treglidgwith Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

This chapel was found on the north road to Little Treglidgwith, turning over the bridge at the Constantine sign, it is now a wooded area.

Near the Churchtown was another chapel belonging to the Bible Christians. (Genuki)

Kelly’s Directory (1902) lists a Bible Christian Chapel.

The Imperial gazetteer of E and W (1870) also lists a chapel for Primitive Methodists (as well as Wesleyans), which may also have been this chapel.

 

Build date unknown.

16 Oct 1824: Assignment of lease, Treglidgwith Bible Christian Chapel, Constantine. Parties: 1) Thomas Phillips, yeoman, of Constantine 2) John Jenkin, miller, of Constantine 3) Benjamin Pascoe, Nicholas Trethowan and Roger Jeffery. Plot of land (36×56 feet) for building meeting house, part of garden behind grist mill at Treglidgwith. Consideration: £5. (Kresen Kernow MRMRC/166)

8 Aug 1871: Lease, chapel and yard, Constantine. Parties: 1) Thomas Hext of Trenarren 2) Benjamin Pascoe of Nanjarrow Farm, Benjamin Pascoe of Polwartha, John Tresidder, Francis Williams, James Bowden, Edward Constantine and William Williams, all of Constantine. Lease for 2 lives. Consideration: 2 shillings and 6 pence per year. Chapel and yard on Constantine-Penryn Road south of Treglidgwith. Witnessed: William Petherick. Endorsed: Lease relinquished Michaelmas 1894. 2 maps. (Kresen Kernow HX/1095)

1872: Anniversary Services held. (Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser – Saturday 13 January 1872)

1876: Bible Christian Chapel. The re-opening services of the Constantine Bible Christian Chapel, which has been closed for improvements, were held on Sunday and Tuesday… New harmonium…” (Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser – Saturday 16 September 1876)

1880 & 1888: Marked on maps. (old.maps.co.uk)

1889: “The Bible Christian Chapel. I hear the Bible Christian Chapel is to be cleaned as soon as the officers can get the money, which is at present in the bonds. Why not renovate the chapel? It needs it badly. A dismissal of black sheep ought not to discourage the little flock, and I hope they will push on and prosper as there is plenty of room for them.” (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 04 July 1889)

1896: “Desecration. Rumour hath it that the old Bible Christian chapel Ponjeravah is no longer to remain as such. The woodwork has been removed from the interior, and the building is be converted into a cattle house.” (Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser – Saturday 19 December 1896)

From the above report it would seem to have closed in the 1890s.

1907: No longer appears on maps.

There is confusion here as the chapel appears to have a new life.

1907: The Methodist New Connexion, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Churches amalgamated to become the United Methodist Church.

1907: Became a United Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

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

1932: Became Treglidgwith Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

Jun 1932: Correspondence, Treglidgwith United Methodist Church, Constantine. Correspondence concerning location of chapels at Treglidgwith and Sparnon Moor (alias Gover Valley) ‘exceedingly small, the attendance …very scanty… it seems a pity it was ever built.’ (Kresen Kernow MRMRC/167)