Mapping Methodism – Mousehole Teetotal Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

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Mousehole is a village and fishing port 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Penzance on the shore of Mount’s Bay. Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell have compiled this profile of Mousehole Teetotal Methodist.

 

John Wesley first came to Mousehole in 1766, then in 1782 and finally in 1785 when he writes in his journal, “About nine I preached at Mousehole, where there is now one of the liveliest societies in Cornwall”.

Location: Chapel Place /Duck street

Free Methodist chapel, now used as commercial premises. Local rubble with granite dressings under hipped scantle slate roofs. Simple classical style. Galleried auditorium now floored in and subdivided plus apse/organ loft with flanking vestries. 2-storey elevations, the symmetrical front with 3 windows to first floor only plus doorway to centre of ground floor. Round-arched openings to front and to organ loft; all original small-paned sashes (except for later Y-tracery to organ loft windows), the front sashes with spoked fanlight heads plus good spoked fanlight over original panelled doors. One of the least altered Methodist chapel exteriors in Cornwall. Listed and illustrated in Stell (b1). (Cornwall Heritage Gateway)

There were chapels in Mousehole for the Wesleyans and the Bible Christians. (Genuki)

(Photo: Jo Lewis)

1844: Build date. (Cornwall Heritage Gateway) Possibly 1847.

1847: Mousehole Teetotal Wesleyan Methodist Chapel built in on land known as the Bowjey Meadow (cow house or shed) and the adjoining Bowjey waste.

Seating for 450.

The chapel opened with the name of the Mousehole Teetotal Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, as its first congregation was a breakaway of St Clement’s Wesleyan.

1847: A group broke from the Wesleyans and formed the Mousehole Teetotal Wesleyan Methodists.

Circa 1848: Mousehole Wesleyan Teetotal founded.  (West Penwith Resources)

“In Mousehole, a ‘teetotal’ church was erected by the fishermen who, despite hard times, made tremendous sacrifice even denying themselves the necessities of life in order to achieve their aim. When the beautiful custom was adapted of calling Methodist churches by some sacred name, the sanctuary was christened ‘Mount Zion’…” (Cob and Moorstone by Lawrence Maker)

Seemingly built as a Wesleyan Teetotal Church. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1851: Nicholas Richards, steward. (West Penwith Resources)

Became Wesleyan Methodist Association chapel.

11th October 1860: Chapel for sale by auction. Formerly Mousehole Teetotal Wesleyans but currently Wesleyan Methodist Association. “Being 46 feet x 38 feet x 26 feet from floor to ceiling, together with the large and very neat Gallery in front and on each side of the pulpit and the Pews which it is divided, and all the forms and fixtures in the said chapel; together also with the chapel-yard and the iron railings and the iron gates belonging thereto. (The Cornish Telegraph – Wednesday 26 September 1860)

1857: The Wesleyan Methodist Association and the Wesleyan Reform Church amalgamated in 1857 to become the United Methodist Free Churches and according to David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian, it became a United Methodist Church.

A story which underlines the decision by Sunday schools to hold separate events comes from Cedric Appleby and suggests that rivalry between the different chapels seems to have been carried to extraordinary lengths. It concerns the children of the Zion United Methodist Church at Mousehole who went out collecting snails before the Wesleyan tea treat in the belief that this practice would cause it to rain and spoil the Wesleyans’ day. Cedric said, “You could be quite sure that the Wesleyans were doing the same for the United Methodists”.

1893: “…children and teachers who comprise the Wesleyan and Free-church Sunday-schools of Mousehole met on Monday. The music of the Paul and Drift Bands as they paraded the town, passed along the cliffs to Newlyn, and then, by Paul-hill, reached the Grove, …” (6 July 1893 – Cornishman)

Circa 1900: Free Methodist chapel Sunday school located to the rear of the chapel. Recorded on the 2nd Edition 1:2500 1907 OS Map. Demolished with a new building on part of the site

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

Possibly 1907: Became a United Methodist Chapel.

1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.

1933: Became Mount Zion Methodist Chapel.

It was sometimes called the “Little Chapel”.

1934: Mount Zion Methodist Sunday School: “… Scholars, teachers and friends formed a procession and, headed by Messrs C B Simons, J Wallis (superintendents), Paul and St Just Town Bands, paraded the principal streets, on to the north pier, where three hearty cheers were given for H.M. the King, …” (19 July 1934 – Cornishman)

1936: Extracts about early Methodism at Mousehole by Herbert Richards which appeared in the Cornishman – Thursday 26 November 1936. It mainly refers to the Wesleyans but other denominations receive a mention. “I have heard that long ages ago a church stood on St. Clement s Island, just off the village, and a church, which stood near the harbour, which was washed away during a severe storm… The first preaching place was in the kitchen a man whose name is forgotten, he also lodged the preachers. This man was shortly afterwards dismissed from the little society for his bad conduct, and the preachers no longer found shelter under his roof, but had to shelter elsewhere. This fallen man threatened destroy the infant church by forming another, but his several attempts came to nought. The next preaching place was a dark, disagreeable salt house, the property of a man named Martin Younger. Here they continued to hold meetings until a large room was fitted up over Peter Willis’s fish cellar. This room held about 200 worshippers, but strange to say, it received the light through paper and not glass windows. The first time it was occupied, while Mr. Crowle was preaching, suddenly the beam which supported the floor gave way, with a tremendous crash, but all the congregation got out unhurt… The damage, however, was soon repaired and preaching was continued. At another period the kitchen of a man named Jonn Harvey, a cooper, was used for preaching in. This place was lofty and spacious. … little desk which served as a pulpit stood in the centre of the large kitchen, while the people stood on the floor… The next preaching place was a dwelling said to be the chief one in the village. In this house could be seen the ball, which the Spaniards fired at Paul tower, after they burnt the village. The little society then moved to a net loft, to which a flight of steps led up. A clear stream ran near its walls from the hill above, a yew tree grew near the window from beneath, casting its shadow on the floor and screened from the wintry winds. The infant church increased in numbers and it was found that it was time to erect a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel the village. In 1783 new chapel was built at the foot of Reginnis Hill. The site on which it stood was the remains of an old dog kennel, belonging to a Mr. Keigwin, a magistrate, who owned the old Standard. Some remains of the kennel walls served as part of the new edifice. The raising of the stones was done by the Methodists themselves. These were procured, from the old hill at the back of the building, and rolled down to the spot. The timber they fetched from Marazion, in their own boats. The chapel, the dimensions of which were 40 ft. by 28 ft., was opened by the Rev. Joseph Taylor. John Wesley preached at Mousehole on three occasions; his last visit being in December, 1785 … The chapel was enlarged in 1815, having had 14 feet added to its width and made a square building, with a gallery at the end. The last time it was enlarged was in 1832. The old thick wall at the end part of the dog kennels, was retained. The chapel was then made 58 feet by 40 feet within; it had two side galleries and held about 900 people… I have heard that in those days, in most of the country chapels, there were cupboards where drink was kept, and preachers were often given a ‘”nip” before they commenced their sermons. This custom, however, was abolished in places of worship after the visit of James Teare, who was instrumental in forming teetotal chapels in Cornwall… many changes have been made to this lovely chapel, known since Methodist union as St. Clement’s Method Church… About 60 years ago it was a plain white-washed building. There were no were stained glass windows as it has to-day. Its little vestry at the end was damp and cold… It was lighted by oil lamps which was considered to be a novelty, as previous to this in many chapels candles were used and the chapel-keeper was kept busy snuffing the candles with a pair of snuffers. It had forms on each side without backs. The women sat on the south side and the men on the north. A well-remembered figure was a man named John MacLary, who stood behind us boys with cane in his hand, and if we spoke during the prayer, we should feel sting on the knuckles with the cane. A harmonium accompanied the singing. The choirmaster for many years was Mr. John George. Before time, I have heard that a bass vial and other instruments were played the choir. About this time a large block vestries was built, a few feet north of chapel, and at the laying of the foundation stone children of the Sunday-school marched in procession past the stone and each put a coin in it… At one period Mousehole was in the St. Just circuit… About forty years ago [circa 1896] an organ loft was built in the west end of the building, and organ superseded the harmonium… Since that day the building has been beautified. It has today stained-glass windows and is electrically lighted…

HIGHER CHAPEL. I like here to refer another chapel in the village: the Methodist Free Church, locally known as the Higher Chapel. Its earliest records seem to have been lost sight of, but a few reminiscences may interest… also to a bakehouse which was used as a preaching place in Duck-street. This was used by the Bryanites, and kept by a man called Jemmy Crocker, who was over-officious in keeping the rude boys in order during the service time. There was another small chapel erected in the village by the Teetotallers— similar the one at Sheffield in Paul. It was afterwards transferred to the Reformed Methodists. The brethren also have been established here for many years…” (Cornishman – Thursday 26 November 1936)

1940: Seating for 451. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1949: “Mousehole Mount Zion Anniversary 105 Years. Old Mount Zion Methodist Church, Mousehole, was built 1844, and named the Teetotal Free Church, the reason for its being so called, was about that time there were at least six licensed houses in the village, the pioneer officials and leaders (former members the Wesleyan Methodist Church, which was first established and enlarged on three occasions, desired to fight the drink traffic and reduce inns so that all who professed the Christian religion might be out and out total abstainers. A similar Teetotal Methodist Free Church was built at Sheffield, Paul, in the early 19th century. For decades the fine buildings retained the name of Mousehole United Methodist Free Church, and on the inauguration of the Methodist Union, adopted the new title Mount Methodist Church. The 105th  anniversary services were held at the weekend, when the special preacher on Sunday was Rev. W. T. Sha lard, Marazion. a former superintendent Minister…” (Cornishman – Thursday 27 October 1949)

1980s: Due to dwindling numbers of residents in the village and the resulting impact on congregations, the decision was taken to close one of the village chapels.

1987: Mount Zion Closure date. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

1987: Merged with the Methodists (Wesleyans) and met in their building.

Became a studio and dwelling. (David Easton, Methodist Minister and historian)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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