Kenneggy Downs is a hamlet between the towns of Helston and Penzance. It is in the west of the civil parish of Breage and 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Penzance. This profile of Kenneggy Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
The Methodist chapel, which is of traditional granite stone construction with a symmetrical double door front façade, was built in 1841. It was built on 2 levels with the Sunday school and meeting rooms downstairs and the main worship area above. The organ was built by Heards of Truro.
Wesleyan chapel. Refronted later but still a good example of a medium-size wayside chapel (b1). (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
Kenneggy Wesleyan Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)
Paul Benney refers to Kenneggy Chapel’s inclusion on the Hayle circuit preaching plan dated 1829.
1841: Build date or, possibly, registration date. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
1904: Cornwall Heritage Gateway indicate a Nonconformist Chapel (Bible Christian) of this date. “Fairly large Gothic style building built of dressed granite. Description to be completed.” Thought to be when it was re-fronted? The reference to it being Bible Christian is thought to be an error.
“The original chapel was built facing the then ‘new’ toll road of the 1820’s which by passed many small back lanes. It is perhaps hard to recognise our current landscape as an industrial hub with latest technology and innovation. Most of the building is on solid ground but the front 10 feet or so have mining activity beneath. The original chapel was extended by that amount around the turn of the century and the floor put in (it was previously galleried). The beams which hold the floor were imported from Sweden (I think) via Falmouth and inserted through hole made in the external walls. Hence the more modern façade than 1841. Another indication that our chapels were places of fashion and up to date in their time! The fore court has extensive mining evidence and as a cautionary aside the road has a slight bend so access is treacherous.” (Paul Benney)
1914: “BREAGE. The trustees of the Wesleyan Chapel, Kenneggy, have decided to renovate and reseat their chapel, and six local builders tendered the work: … Mr. J. White has secured the work and Friday evening last signed the agreement. The work will be started next week and has to be completed by November 14th. (Cornishman – Thursday 02 July 1914)
1914: “Keneggey [sic] Wesleyan Chapel has been closed for extensive renovation, but a temporary chapel has been erected in which services are being held whilst the chapel is being lengthened and otherwise altered. When finished the Sunday-school will be held on the lower floor and the chapel proper will be on the second floor [almost certainly first]. There will be no gallery in future, but owing to several feet being added in length, the seating accommodation will be quite as much as before. In getting out foundations for the new buildings some old mine workings were encountered, and these will have to be secured.” (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 23 July 1914)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
September 2017: Thought to have been the last service.
(Photo: My Wesleyan Methodists)
2018: Unsuccessful request to rehome the organ and it still sits in situ at the north end of the chapel.
2019: The chapel was for sale but has since been discovered to have mining works below with a risk of collapse.