Carleen is a village in West Cornwall, a short distance to the north of Breage. This profile of Carleen Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell
1762 Chapel
1762: Build date. https://www.germoeparishcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/breage-carleen-circular1.pdf
1833 Chapel
A fairly large Wesleyan chapel with schoolroom added at rear end survives at Carleen. It is a simple classical style with round-arched openings. Good example in small village (b1). (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
Carleen Wesleyan Chapel (Photo: courtesy Sarah Davis)
1833: Build date. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway) https://www.germoeparishcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/breage-carleen-circular1.pdf
Capt. Thos Richards, engineer at Wheal Vor Mine, has lately built an organ for use of the new Wesleyan Chapel at Caulian (Carleen), near that mine. It was played on Sunday last to a crowded congregation, by Mrs Fanning, organist, of Helston, who pronounced it to be an excellent instrument. (Life in Cornwall)
Carleen was renowned for its tea treats, held annually on the first Saturday in August. On their procession of witness, the first teachers and scholars always performed the “Serpent’s Walk” over the Green at Trew before returning to Carleen to enjoy their saffron buns and other Tea Treat fare. https://www.germoeparishcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/breage-carleen-circular1.pdf
1879: “At Horse Downs tea, on Saturday, the Mullion Band was well received while the Mammoth School tea at Carleen, on the same day, Helston Rifle Band performed a capital selection…” (7 August 1879 – Cornishman)
1887-1913: Application forms, building grants and loans, Carleen Methodist Chapel, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/19)
1887: “Through the indefatigable efforts of the Rev. J. E. Hargreaves the Carleen Chapel has been secured as Connexional property.” (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 31 March 1887)
1889: New organ opening. (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 25 July 1889)
1907: “The seating accommodation at Carleen Wesleyan Chapel, Breage, owing in a large extent; to the revival of the mining industry in the neighbourhood, has been found insufficient for the largely increased congregations of late, and extra accommodation to be provided shortly.” (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 07 November 1907)
1912: Tenders invited for renovations. (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 27 June 1912)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1940: Seating for 400. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
These photographs courtesy of David Philp
1990: Closed. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
7 Mar 1990-25 Jul 1991: Correspondence, state of repair and future of Chapel, Carleen Methodist Church, Breage. (Kresen Kernow MRMB/209)
1993: “SALE OF PINE CHURCH PEWS PITTINGS AND FURNITURE Reg Cann have received instructions from the Porthleven Methodist Circuit to sell by PUBLIC AUCTION the contents of five Chapels on Saturday June 26th, 1993 at 10.30 am. prompt NEARLY 300 lots in all being an unusual and rare opportunity to acquire quality, mainly Pitch pine, fittings and furniture…The sale will be held at CARLEEN CHAPEL…” (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 24 June 1993)
1994-1996: Documents relating to sale, Carleen Methodist Chapel. Copy of deed, schedule, sales brochure, plan and correspondence. (Kresen Kernow MRLB/124)
Chapel became a store. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
Sunday school converted to dwelling. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
Now a private dwelling. https://www.germoeparishcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/breage-carleen-circular1.pdf
Carleen Wesleyan Chapel (Photo: Paul Phillips)