Mapping Methodism – Lelant (Uny) Primitive Methodist Chapel
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Lelant is on the west side of the Hayle Estuary about 2+1⁄2 miles (4.0 km) southeast of St Ives and one mile (1.6 km) west of Hayle. This profile of Lelant Primitive Wesleyan Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
The earliest written reference to a possible Methodist ‘chapel’ in Lelant is in 1766. John Wesley records in his Journal that on 10 September “the rain drove us into the house.” This might have been a meeting house, or a Lelant Methodist’s home used for worship. The earliest record of a Methodist religious society, an organised group of worshippers, at Lelant is 1767. There is a deed of 17 May 1791 for a “Lelant Preaching House” [Appleby 1984]. This is about an expired lease on land on which, the deed says, had been “lately created…a Methodist Preaching House.” The house was built on land known as “Peters.” This is likely to have been the site of the Chapel (The 1820/38 map of the village marks this site).
Exactly when Primitive Methodism was established at Lelant is unknown.
1834 Chapel
14th December 1834: Opened their chapel which they have bought from the Wesleyans who were moving to Trendreath.
1851: The religious census reported that there was no service in the morning, afternoon attendance of twenty and evening attendance of one hundred and forty, with no Sunday scholars at any service. (My Primitive Methodists)
1851: Richard Hampton was the steward and he recorded that the building was previously a Wesleyan chapel.
Seating for 175.
1859: The chapel building was run down.
Demolished.
1859 Chapel
A Primitive Methodist chapel in Fore Street is recorded on the 1st and 2nd Edition 1:2500 1880 and 1907 OS Maps. Still extant and used as a village hall and listed grade II. Coursed granite with Pedimental end gable front with central round-headed doorway with fanlight. Doorway flanked by tall round-headed sash windows with glazing bars. Tall sash windows at sides. Slate roof. Listed in Stell (b1). (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)
Lelant Primitive Methodists’ first chapel was acquired from the Wesleyan Methodists who were moving to grander premises, opening on 14th December 1834. The 1851 religious census reported that there was no service in the morning, afternoon attendance of twenty and evening attendance of one hundred and forty, with no Sunday scholars at any service. A new Lelant Primitive Methodist chapel in the St Ives circuit was opened on 15th December 1859. The chapel which measured 48′ x 25′ cost £210 of which they had raised £100 by the opening. Donors included Hall and Sons, Mrs Harris, Mrs Beckerlegge and Mrs R Hampton. The foundation stone was laid six months earlier on May 31st 1859 by Capt. Peter Bryant (St Ives). Speakers at the stone laying ceremony and the tea in the Wesleyan chapel that followed included Rev W Vercoe, J Beckylegge and J Whitford. (My Primitive Methodists)
31st May 1859: new foundation stone was laid.
1859: Build date. (My Primitive Methodists)
1888: Chapel re-opened after renovation. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 06 July 1888)
1893: New organ opened. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 01 June 1893)
1895: “The Primitive Methodist Chapel has gone through a thorough renovation, and a decided improvement is the result. In a previous issue we gave an outline of the then inconvenience caused through the body of this chapel being seated with forms without backs. The congregation has been reduced to a very small number owing to the negligence of local preachers. And we are glad to observe that the Rev. J. Compton has taken some of the primitive plans as local preachers. Pews have been now erected in a portion of the body of the chapel and the remainder is still occupied with forms although backs have been added, which will prove very convenient to those who worship there. The interior of all seats has been grained, while the exterior has been painted with a light green relieved with white. The work has been carried out by Mr. Albert Beckerleg with admirable taste…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 27 June 1895)
1898: “Lelant Primitive Methodist Chapel. A low wall, surmounted by an iron rail, has recently been placed in front of the P. M. chapel, which greatly improves the appearance of the chapel.” (Cornishman – Thursday 10 March 1898)
1909: Closed.
1912: “LELANT. The old Primitive Methodist Chapel, situated in the centre the village, is being restored, and will on December 20th be reopened as the Parish Hall…” (Cornishman – Thursday 12 December 1912)
Became the village Hall.
The old Primitive Methodist Chapel (Photo courtesy Val Thomas)