Perranuthnoe is a village in southwest Cornwall on the east side of Mount’s Bay approximately one mile (1.6 km) east of Marazion and four miles (6.5 km) east of Penzance. This profile of Perranuthnoe Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
A Wesleyan Methodist chapel is recorded on the 1st and 2nd Edition 1880 and 1907 OS maps but not on the Tithe Map c1840. Google Maps records a single storey building, dressed granite stone, cement tile roof, modern 12 pane replacement windows. The eastern portion or chapel is earlier with the addition of the school being added later between 1880 and 1907. The chapel has a porch which was possibly added when the school was built. The lintel over the school door is a simple Greek style pediment lintel with drip tray. The building appears to have been modernised and possibly converted into domestic use. On the wall to the building and over the porch (chapel side) is a date stone “WESLEYAN CHAPEL 1858” (Google Maps 2009). (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
Genuki records a Wesleyan chapel in the Churchtown
1858: Build date. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway / Plaque)
Built as a Wesleyan chapel. (SWChurches
Part of Marazion Wesleyan Circuit. (SWChurches)
1889: New harmonium. (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 18 April 1889)
1892: “The Wesleyan Chapel. Perranuthnoe was reopened on Sunday after being new-seated and undergoing other needed alterations. It now presents a neat and comfortable appearance. All seats are cushioned. The old pulpit is replaced a rostrum and an improved entrance is also made…” (Cornishman – Thursday 21 July 1892)
1895: “PERRANUTHNOE. Proposed New Wesleyan School. lt has been decided to build new Schoolroom adjoining the Wesleyan Chapel, Church town, and recent meeting of the Building Committee the following tenders were received: Mr, John Thomas, Tresowas, £9B 16s 4d; Mr. W. G. Harris, Marazion, £118 10s; Mr, G. Miners, Marazion, £96 10s; Mr, J D Williams, Marazion, (carpentry only) £23 11s; Mr. G. Fox, Goldsithney, (masonry only) £38. The tenders of Messrs Williams and Fox were accepted. Mr. B, Pascoe, Architect, Marazion, prepared the plans.” (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 31 October 1895)
1917: “In ideal weather, Perranuthnoe Wesleyans held their annual Sunday-school festival on Saturday. Headed by Marazion Town Band, the teachers and scholars paraded the Churchtown, forming a circle in The Square, after which they repaired to the chapel …” (9 August 1917 – Cornishman)
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Perranuthnoe Methodist Church. (SWChurches
Part of Marazion Methodist Circuit. (SWChurches
1940: Seating for 120. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
1980: Closed. (SWChurches / David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
1980-1982: Papers, closure and sale of Perranuthnoe Methodist Church. (Kresen Kernow MRMB/66)
Converted to studio and dwelling. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)
(Photo: Jo Lewis)