Mapping Methodism – Gweek Bethel / Boskenwyn Downs Bible Christian Chapel

Boskenwyn Downs is to the northwest of Gweek. This profile of Gweek Bethel / Boskenwyn Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

Carrying on west, and then take to road south to Boskenwyn and then turn left onto Gweek Lane. The chapel is found on the right opposite a left turn to a farm. It has a helpful sign on its wall.

“This chapel has been known in recent times as Boskenwyn Chapel, but at its birth was Christened ‘Bethal’. It is located midway between Gweek village and Boskenwyn.” (Paul Phillips)

A Bible Christian chapel is recorded at this location at Boskenwyn Downs, Gweek on the 1st and 2nd Editions of the 1:2500 1880 and 1907 OS Maps. Shown as ‘Bethel Chapel’ on the 1907 OS Map. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

Non-Conformist. There were Wesleyan Methodist chapels at Edgecumbe, Menhay (Manhay), Penmarth, Porkellis, Burrows, Coverack Bridges, Degibna, Gweek and Crelly (where there is a cemetery). Bible Christian chapels were at Boskenwyn Downs and Karn Kie (Carnkie); Wesleyan Methodist Free Chapels were at Trewenack and Four Lanes, and a Baptist chapel at Lower Town (now part of Helston). (Genuki)

The former Bible Christian Chapel (Photo: Paul Phillips)

1834: Build date.

Built as a Bible Christian Chapel. Kresen Kernow states United Methodist Church but that could not have been until after 1907 when that church was formed.

(1902: Kelly’s record a Bible Christian Chapel at Boskenwyn.

1907: Referred to as Bethel Chapel. (Maps)

1888 to 1963: Shown on maps. (old.maps.co.uk)

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

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

1932: Became known as Gweek Bethel Methodist Church.

1940: Seating for 65. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1961: Closed. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

“These photos were sent to me by a previous owner, they show a beam that she had removed during some alterations, but unfortunately, it was cut by the builders. It is believed that the motifs are the identification marks of the original craftsmen, rather like masons who left their marks on cathedrals etc to get their wages, but I am not totally convinced. I have not heard of it before.” (Paul Phillips)