30 June 2022

Mapping Methodism – Garras Wesleyan Chapel/ Mawgan In Meneage Higher Chapel

Garras is a hamlet in the parish of Mawgan in Meneage. It lies on the B3293 road from St Keverne to Helston. This profile of Garras Wesleyan Chapel (Later MawganHigher) has been compiled by Terry Moyle.

The two chapels in Mawgan in Meneage were located at Garras on the main road from St. Keverne to Helston. The Garras United Methodist Free Church later became Mawgan Lower while the Garras Wesleyan Church became Mawgan Higher. Mawgan Higher became “Mawgan Methodist Church” in 1939 and in about 1953 the two chapel congregations united.

The Church closed in 1991 with a membership of 12. In July 1993 conditional approval was given by the planners to the Helston Methodist Circuit to convert the redundant Mawgan Methodist Church into a dwelling (West Briton 29 July 1993).

Cornish Telegraph 18 June 1885 – The 45^th anniversary of the Teetotal Society of Mawgan in Meneage was celebrated on Tuesday. This always forms a special attraction at Mawgan feast. At 2 pm the procession was formed in front of Garras Wesleyan Chapel with banners flying and headed by Gweek Silver band. The marched to the Rectory, on to Trelowarren and then back to the chapel again. Here tables were laid for tea. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Wesleyan chapel. The choirs united and all parties declared it to be the best singing ever heard in the parish. Mr. Lawrence of Polwin led on the harmonium.

Cornishman 14 April 1904 – One of the largest attended funerals for many years was that at Mawgan on Friday for Mr. John Boaden, J.P. The church was full and among those present were Sir Vyell and Lady Vyvyan and Sir Edward Dunning-Lawrence M.P. With the exception of partial blindness, Mr. Boaden enjoyed good health and on Sunday he attended the Sunday School at Garras Wesleyan Chapel. From his early years he was a life-long abstainer

Cornishman 12 September 1907 – A Memorial Service for the late Mrs. Wearne Caddy of Rosevear took place at Garras Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday.Her death at the age of 48 came as a surprise and the funeral took place on Sunday amid many manifestations of respect and regret.

West Briton 6 June 1912 – A public luncheon, bazaar and meeting are to be held at Garras Wesleyan Chapel on June 10^th. The chairman will be Mr. W. Paul Rogers of London, an enterprising young merchant, a good sportsman and a budding orator. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are motoring down to Cornwall, especially to help the church in which his father (Mr. C. P. Rogers) and mother formerly worshipped.

West Briton 13 June 1912 – A successful bazaar was held at Garras Wesleyan Church on Monday. Mrs. Rogers performed the opening ceremony and Mr. Rogers presided at the luncheon and took the chair at the evening meeting.

West Briton 7 December 1939 – Mrs. J. Harvey of Lowertown unlocked the doors at the re-opening of Mawgan Higher Methodist Church on Friday. The church has been thoroughly renovated and redecorated at a cost of £550. The scheme included the erection of an addition to accommodate the organ and choir, new seating and windows and the redecoration of the Sunday School. Across the front of the building has been printed in large letters “Mawgan Methodist Church”. When the project was inaugurated it was hoped that its completion might be crowned by the uniting of Methodism in the parish and the closing of the ex UMC. This happy position has not yet been reached.

Mawgan Higher Wesleyan Methodist Church c. 1930

Mawgan Methodist Church (probably taken at re-opening in December 1939)

After the re-opening of the renovated church a concert arranged by Mrs. L.G. Spargo was given by friends from Helston.

Cornish Post and Mining News 11 August 1944 – A large number of scholars attended the annual tea treat at Mawgan Methodist Church including some from Banstead Residential School now evacuated to the district. After tea sports were held in a field kindly lent by Mr. Herbert Curnow. During the evening St. Martin Silver band under bandmaster J. H. Williams rendered selections.

Cornishman 7 December 1944 – Home Missions services on Sunday at Mawgan Higher Methodist Church were conducted by Mr. Courtenay Thomas of St. Keverne and were continued on Tuesday.

Cornishman 11 January 1945 – Mawgan Higher Methodist Concert Party under the leadership of Mr. B. M. Nicholas visited St. Martin last week and gave a concert in the Sunday School before a crowded house.

Cornishman 15 February 1945 – A concert was given in Mawgan Higher Methodist Sunday School on Monday evening by the concert party under the direction of Mr. B. M. Nicholas. A supper followed and proceeds were for the Welcome Home for the Forces Fund.

Mrs. Reed, the wife of Mr. John Reed, went to a concert at Mawgan Higher Methodist Church on Monday evening but before the concert paid a visit to an old friend, Miss Mary Harris, and after being there a few minutes was taken ill and died. Mrs. Reed regularly attended Mawgan Higher Methodist Church and for many years was a chorister. At the concert the chairman Mr. B. M. Nicholas made reference to Mrs. Reed’s passing.

Cornishman 12 April 1945 – a sacred concert was given at Mawgan Higher Methodist Church last week by Mrs. G. Bosustow and party from Lizard.

Cornishman 9 August 1945 – A variety concert was given in Mawgan Higher Methodist Church on Monday by the famous blind musician Mr. W. E. Floyd of Four Lanes, assisted by four ladies. Mr. Floyd played the piano accordian and solos were given by Miss C. Orchard and Mesdames H. Eathorne, M. Richards and H. Hitchens.

Cornishman 25 April 1946 – Parishioners heard with deep regret on Easter Sunday of the death of Mrs. J. Goldsworthy of Garras. She was a member of Mawgan Higher Methodist Church and a member of the choir who will miss her singing.

The death has occurred of Miss Mary Anne Curnow of Rosevear. She was a staunch Methodist and a member of Mawgan Higher Methodist Church and a Sunday School teacher.

Cornishman 6 March 1947 – A Guild Circuit Rally was held at Mawgan Higher Methodist Church. The Mayor and Mayoress of Helston (Alderman J. H. and Mrs. Adams) were among the large numbers attending.

Cornishman 10 April 1947 – Mr. S.T. Johns presided over the first annual meeting of Mawgan Male Voice Choir held in Mawgan Higher Methodist schoolroom.

Cornishman 26 June 1947 – Sheila Sampson aged 13 is the new organist at Mawgan Higher Methodist Church and is believed to be the youngest organist in the county if not in the country. The choir and congregation are delighted to have such a young organist. The church has been unfortunate having lost both their organists in the space of nine months as Miss Gladys Boaden and deputy organist Miss Barbara Williams have left to be married and are also leaving the district.

Cornishman 29 April 1948 – While sitting in his car Mr. Thomas Jose of Mawgan was taken ill and died. He was the secretary of Mawgan Rangers F.C. and a naval policeman at RNAS Culdrose. There was a large and representative gathering at the funeral in Mawgan Higher Methodist Church.

Cornishman 29 July 1948 – Some 200 officers, children and friends from Berkeley Vale Falmouth Methodist Sunday School went to Mawgan for their annual outing last week. Mawgan Higher Methodists place their Sunday Schoolroom at the disposal of the visitors and Mr. H. Curnow lent a field for sports.

Cornishman 16 December 1948 – Mr. Charles Choak of Mawgan celebrated his 90^th birthday last week. A teetotaller and non-smoker he is a member of Mawgan Higher Methodist Church and Guild. At his party there were four generations of his family present.

Western Morning News 21 June 1949 – Mawgan Higher Methodist Church is raising funds to install electric lights in the church and Sunday School. Up until ow the church has been lit by acetylene gas.

Cornishman 28 July 1949 – On Saturday officers and scholars of Pike’s Hill Methodist Sunday School, Falmouth, came to Garras for their annual treat and sports using the Mawgan Higher Methodist Sunday School.

Cornishman 23 February 1950 – Members of Mawgan Higher Methodist Guild were entertained to a musical evening given by the Porthleven Gospel Singers.

Western Morning News 19 December 1950 – The funeral of Mr. Wearne Caddy who was a blacksmith at Rosevear for 64 years took place at Mawgan Higher Methodist Church. Mr. Caddy was 89 and one of the oldest Methodist preachers in the Helston Circuit and retired about five years ago.

In the West Briton of 8^thJuly 1999 the report of the funeral of Mrs. Kathleen Williams included references to her husband Jack Williams who died in 1977. He was the blacksmith at Rosevear and the organist and chapel steward at the former Mawgan Higher Methodist Church

Mawgan Higher Methodist Church closed in 1991 with a membership of 12 and with 11 people attending the last service. (David Easton). It was converted into a dwelling house in 1993 and has appeared on the market on several occasions, the last time being in 2020-2021 with a price tag of £700,000. The sale was for both the former chapel and Sunday School, the latter having been used as a studio.

Garras Wesleyan/Mawgan Higher/ Mawgan Methodist Church is now called Chapel House.