Map:
This profile of St Day Primitive Methodist Chapel has been compiled by Jo Lewis and Tony Mansell.
1828 Primitive Methodist Chapel
Built in 1828 on the site of an earlier single storied thatched Baptist chapel (built in 1803) which was the only place of worship in the village until that year when this, and other chapels were built.
Located in Telegraph Street.
The location of the 1828 Chapel (Photo: Jo Lewis)
Heritage Gateway: Primitive Methodist chapel, now demolished and rebuilt as house. The original building (superseded by 1885 chapel in Scorrier Street) had survived as a ruin until 1998 and had previously been used as a coal yard for many years. The granite rubble building had enlarged central doorway at the front end and there were 3 window openings to each side elevation. This chapel, St Day Church and the Wesleyan Chapel in Chapel Street, were all built in the same year. https://map.cornwall.gov.uk/website/ccmap/?zoomlevel=10&xcoord=173019&ycoord=42585&wsName=ccmap&layerName=Buildings,%20Sites%20and%20Monuments%20-%20points
1851: The return from the Primitive Methodist chapel in St Day to the 1851 Census of Places of Public Religious worship was completed by the minister, Levi Ramsden. It dates the chapel from 1843 (perhaps the date of a refurbishment) and shows it filled to capacity and more in the evening services.
1860: The chapel was extended with a reopening ceremony. (O Pullen writes about the re-opening in the Primitive Methodist magazine of 1860) “The re-opening services of our chapel at St. Day were held January 8th and 10th , 1860 : on the former day the Rev. R. Killingrey preached morning and afternoon, and the writer in the evening ; on the latter day the writer preached in the morning, and the Rev. G. Johnson afternoon and evening. On Wednesday, January 18th, a tea-meeting, gratuitously provided, was held in the chapel; after tea, the public meeting was presided over by Mr. R. Tolley, and addresses were delivered by Messrs. H. Worth, S. Kelley, and 0. Pullen. A blessed influence attended the whole of these services, and considering the unfavourableness of the weather, the congregations have been good, and the collections liberal. The chapel has been lengthened 17 feet, a lobby erected, four additional windows put in, and a centre piece, six feet in diameter; it will seat about 340, being additional accommodation for 100 hearers. The whole of the cost will be about £130, towards which we shall perhaps obtain £50 by opening services, subscriptions, and donations. We tender our thanks to all who have assisted us in any way. Our prayer is that God may pour out His Spirit on us, and that the chapel may become the birth place of many souls.”
https://www.myprimitivemethodists.org.uk/content/chapels/cornwall/st_day_scorrier_street
There was also a substantial afternoon Sunday school and there are records of the Hicks Mill Band played at St Day Primitive Methodists Sunday school treat. (John Brush) in 1880.
1907: No longer shown as a chapel on maps.
It was replaced by the new chapel on Scorrier Street built in 1885.
Remained as a building (may have been used for Village Hall / Temperance Hall – sources are a little vague and mixed between two chapels) for many years and was then used as a coal yard. It survived as a ruin until 1998. It is now the site of a modern house but some walls may remain around the house.
Information: https://www.myprimitivemethodists.org.uk/content/chapels/cornwall/st_day_scorrier_street
1885 Primitive Methodist Chapel
Located in Scorrier Street.
Built in 1885 – architect James Hicks. It is suggested this was built on the site of a Baptist chapel but that comments is more likely to relate to the original Telegraph Street Chapel)
1885: Tenders being invited for the construction of a new Primitive Chapel at St Day. (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Friday 10 April 1885)
1885: A new chapel being erected by the Primitive Methodists at St Day. (The Cornish Telegraph – Thursday 09 July 1885)
1885: St Day Primitive Methodist new building mentioned. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Friday 10 July 1885)
1888: A public tea was held in the old St Day Primitive Chapel. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 05 April 1888)
The 1885 Chapel (Photo Jo Lewis)
Heritage Gateway: Primitive Methodist chapel, by James Hicks c1865 (It should state c1885), converted to commercial premises. Dressed granite brought to course plus granite dressings. Gothic style. 3-bay front has buttresses capped by spirelets dividing the bays. Central rose window over late C20 enlarged doorway. Lancets with hoodmoulds to flanking bays. Despite alteration this building is an important contribution to the character and interest of the St Day Conservation Area. https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MCO33414&resourceID=1020
1896: Registered for marriages.
1913: A further Sunday school was built by Sampson Hill, architect, Redruth in Telegraph Street. Possibly the Methodist School room.
1932: The Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist and the United Methodist Church amalgamated to become the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
1932: Became Scorrier Street Methodist Church – part of St Day, later Gwennap and St Day Primitive Methodist Circuit. It was later part of Redruth Methodist Circuit.
Circa 1968: Following the closure of West End Methodist / Fore Street Methodist Chapel, the congregations combined to become St Day Methodist Church.
The 1944-1973 map shows both the Scorrier Street Church marked as St Day Methodist Church and the Sunday school on Telegraph Hill. (https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=18.0&lat=50.24017&lon=-5.18430&layers=173&right=ESRIWorld)
There are papers relating to the proposed sale of Sunday School and reconstruction of church, and then the eventual sale of church and conversion of Sunday school. The Sunday school was converted to the new St Day Methodist Church which is still open (Telegraph Hill).
Accounts exist for St Day Scorrier Street Church, St Day Methodist (1951-1987).
1971: Closed in 1971 and the premises were sold.
The Scorrier Street building became a garage / workshop.
Kresen Kernow records: https://kresenkernow.org/SOAP/search/RelatedNameCode.keyword/CRO%7CUK%7C618/
https://kresenkernow.org/SOAP/detail/9e345fc8-1a7b-4ed2-a60d-80aa5b0a3fe2/