Rinsey is a hamlet located off the main A394 road between Helston and Penzance in the civil parish of Breage. This profile of Rinsey Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
The chapel is on the left as you enter Rinsey on Rinsey Lane, set back across the field and accessed via its own track.
The 1st Edition 1:2500 1880 OS Map records a Wesleyan Methodist chapel at this location in Rinsey. By 1907 the 2nd Edition OS Map shows a Free United Methodist chapel. The building is shown on the current Mastermap in use as a Hall. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
Build date unknown.
Built as a Wesleyan Chapel. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
Built as a United Methodist Free Church. (SWChurches / David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian) It was certainly a UMFC at some point in its history but its original designation is unclear.
1878: Indicated on maps.
There is a question mark regarding the original designation of this chapel but the weight of evidence suggests that it was originally Wesleyan but became a United Methodist Free Church at some point before the 1880s. As ever if anyone has any further information on this then please let us know.
1883: Newspaper reports state that it is a United Methodist Free Church.
1907: The Methodist New Connexion, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Churches amalgamated to become the United Methodist Church.
1907: Became a United Methodist Free Church. (SWChurches)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Rinsey Methodist Chapel. (SWChurches)
1940: Seating for 120. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
1950s: Closed. (SWChurches)
1914-1958: Correspondence, sale of Rinsey Methodist Church, Breage. Correspondence concerning sale of chapel and land valuation form. (Kresen Kernow MRPL/42)
Sold and converted into two holiday homes.
My great grandfather was local preacher over the west in the 1930-50s and certainly preached at Rinsey in 1951 on Joshua 24 v24! I have his books of sermons dates chapels and texts. he had a car and certainly traveled!
Story told that the Rinsey lamps were lit, the stove stoked, preacher arrived and no worshippers. The preacher thought to pray and go when a stranger entered attracted by the lights. He had intended to jump off the cliff but turned back, the two prayed together and went their ways… I forget who told the story, may have been Grandpa and no verification survives..
Is there an odd piece of Rinsey chapel China about?