Mapping Methodism – Probus (Green) Bible Christian Chapel

Probus is a village about five miles west of Truro. This profile of Probus (Green) Bible Christian Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.

 

1822 Chapel

The original chapel in Back Lane (Photo: Barry West)

1822: Build date. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

Location unknown.

Built as a Bible Christian chapel. (SWChurches)

 

Circa 1882 Chapel

Bible Christian chapel and attached schoolroom, remodelled late C19, now used as commercial premises and front end altered. Killas rubble walls with brick arches; grouted scantle slate roof with crested clay ridge tiles. Simple Picturesque Gothic style with intersecting glazing bars to side windows. Early example of a Bible Christian chapel site. Listed in Stell (b1) (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

The Bible Christian chapel following conversion to a dwelling (Photo: Jo Lewis)

1882: Build date. (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 09 May 1889)

Built as a Bible Christian chapel. (SWChurches)

1889: “The Bible Christian Chapel Probus was built about seven years ago. For nearly two years a sabbath school has been held in the chapel. Some months since it was decided to erect room for school and other purposes behind the chapel as soon as practicable…” (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 09 May 1889)

1889: Schoolroom build date. (West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser – Thursday 09 May 1889)

1907: The Methodist New Connexion, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Churches amalgamated to become the United Methodist Church.

1907: Became a United Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

1912: Probus United Methodist Chapel being renovated and to be re-opened soon. (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.

1932: Became Probus Green Methodist Church. (SWChurches)

1940: Seating for 90. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1948: Closed. (SWChurches / David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

Became an office and workshop. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

2012: Planning permission to convert to a single dwelling.

An early photo can be found here: old pic – http://cornishmemory.com/item/WAT_31_032. We would date it as between the 1882 build date and 1889 when the schoolroom was added. It is certainly not 1831 as stated.