Mapping Methodism – Penmarth Wesleyan Chapel, Carnmenellis

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Penmarth is a hamlet about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Penryn and about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Redruth. The hamlet is often referred to as Carnmenellis, which it was signposted as in the 1970s, and for centuries before the hamlet was known as Polmarth after the surrounding estate. This profile of Penmarth Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

A building is recorded on the 1st Edition 1:2500 OS map c1880, and a larger building is recorded as a Sunday school on the 2nd Edition 1:2500 OS map c1907. It is possibly that the Sunday school was, in part the original Wesleyan chapel. It is probably early C19 and is a simple vernacular example of colour-washed rubble. The building has been renovated with disabled access added in 2011. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

 

1800: Thought to be when Carnmenellis Methodist Society was formed.

 

1825 Chapel and later Sunday school

1825: Land leased for the purpose of building a chapel in Polmarth (later Penmarth)

1825: Build date. (Wikipedia)

The name Penmarth wasn’t used until the Chapel was built. (Wikipedia)

1844: Sunday school founded. A converted industrial building. It had a room under for worshippers horses.

1878: The map show a small square building and the Sunday school was then built onto it. It is now the Wesley Hall and the small square building remains attached. (old.maps.co.uk)

1936 Chapel

There seems to have been a Methodist association Chapel built – possibly due to a split – this had ceased by the early 1950s but the building continued to be referred to as The Associaion.

 

1860s Chapel

A wayside Wesleyan chapel, probably 1860s. It is a small classical Stuccoed example with good fanlight over doorway at the entrance end. The Sunday school across the road is probably possibly the earlier chapel (138288). It is dressed granite road-frontage walls with railings removed. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

 

1859/1860: Build date. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

1861: Lease renewed.

1865-1997: SWChurches give these dates suggesting that it was built (or maybe registered) in 1865 and closed in 1997!!

Built as a Wesleyan chapel. (SWChurches)

1876: Burras Brass Band was at the annual tea treat of the Penmarth Wesleyan Sunday School. (John Brush, brass band historian)

1878: Chapel shown on map although there is a building occupying the site of the later Sunday school which could be an earlier chapel. (old.maps.co.uk)

Sunday school probably built between 1878 and 1907.

1907: Chapel and Sunday school shown on map. (old.maps.co.uk)

1912: Penmarth Wesleyan Chapel Re-opened. Renovation, alteration in the seating accommodation, and the installation six acetylene at total cost about £50. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 04 July 1912)

1913: A harmonium replaced the small orchestra.

1924: Chapel renovated.

1924: Chapel registerd for weddings.

1928: Osmond pipe organ installed.

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

The Sunday school became the village hall.

 

 

 

 

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