Profiled by Mark Mitchley and Jo Lewis
Denomination: Wesleyan Methodist
Located at Canton, Gorran Haven
Opened: 1830
Closed: c. 2000
Anniversary:
Sunday School: Yes
Sunday School building: No
Sunday School anniversary: July
Current status: Converted to residential use from 2013
Book: ‘The History of Gorran Haven Methodists 1830-1980’, Robert C. Murrish (minister), printed privately, 1980.
Goran Haven Wesleyan (Jo Lewis)
The beginnings of independent worship in Gorran Haven are quite difficult to untangle, because on most records anyone not part of the Church of England is referred to as independent or dissenting often without recording the particular denomination.
There were also very close links between the Gorran Haven and Mevagissey dissenters (Wesleyan Methodist, Primitive Methodist and Congregationalists) and the history of these are intertwined in Gorran Haven. Gazetteer records show Primitive Methodists in Gorran parish (1868; 1870) although no chapel can be found in Gorran Haven, but the Primitives may still have had some influence (see below). This account of the Gorran Haven Wesleyan Chapel therefore includes a short Independent / Dissenter history within the chronology for completeness of the village non denominational history.
Independent worship was known in the village from 1779 when there were dissenting services held at the Gerran Haven St. Just old Chapel in a room created above what were then used as fish cellars.
There was also early worship in two rooms of a fisherman’s cottage which was used as a chapel. The history of the Portscatho Independent Chapel (https://sites.rootsweb.com/~enggerop/portscatho_chapel_history.htm) tells us that William Billing, who founded that chapel after 1813, was born in Gorran Haven in 1793. His father a ‘truly pious man,’ was a fisherman who had set aside two rooms of his cottage as a chapel for worship. This is not located, although a Will is found dated 1812, of James Billing (fisherman) which mentions two dwellings left to other sons and a cellar and £50 to William Billing (son). Perhaps this is how he was able to build the chapel in Portscatho.
Multiple references suggest an early Independent Chapel in Gorran Haven in the early 1800s. It is not known if this refers to the St Just old Chapel, the Wesleyan Chapel (described here) or the short lived Bible Christian Chapel. https://cornishstory.com/2024/10/05/mapping-methodism-gorran-haven-bible-christian-chapel/
In March 1812, a licence was obtained by James Guy for Independent Congregational preaching at St. Just Chapel (Old Chapel Cellar) and the first service was held there in April 1812 led by two pastors: one from Mevagissey and the other from Penryn.
In 1815, Samuel Dunn started a Wesleyan Sunday School in an unknown location in Gorran Haven. Samuel Dunn was the son of Captain James Dunn of Mevagissey. Captain Dunn was a friend and follower of John Wesley (and a notorious smuggler) but the family were also associated with the Mevagissey Primitive Methodists (http://cornishstory.com/2022/03/22/mapping-methodism-mevagissey-primitive-methodist-chapel/). Samuel Dunn (1798-1882) went on to became one of the leaders of the Methodist Reformers throughout the country in the 1850s. In Truro Cathedral in Cornwall there is a window depicting John Wesley and dedicated to James Dunn and his son Samuel.
The Wesleyan plan of 1818 shows a 6pm service at Gorran Haven but it is not known where this was.
In 1820, The Independents reportedly ceased using the St Just Old Chapel cellar and the Wesleyan Methodists started to meet there before their chapel (as below) opened in 1830. Heritage Gateway records both Wesleyans and Congregationalists using St Just chapel. It is thought that the Independents (congregationalists) moved locations over the next few years until their chapel was built in 1863.
Heritage Gateway has a separate record of an Independent Chapel in Gorran Haven: A former Congregational and later Methodist chapel. Built 1812, refurbished c 1855, altered late C20. Rendered walls. Deleted from statutory list of listed buildings due to erosion of interest caused by alteration. Listed in Stell. This is likely to be the 1863 Mount Zion Congregational chapel (the Haven) but dates are confused with earlier St Just chapel (used by both denominations) and there is no evidence that the Methodists ever met in this chapel after its actual build date in 1863.
In 1829, a plot of land in Canton was purchased for 10 shillings by Francis Organ from William Kendall as a 999-year lease from 1st January 1830. The plot of land was part of Caunce Meadow, and the chapel was purchased ‘…for preaching the Word of God as laid down by John Wesley’. This intimates that the chapel was already built when the lease came into being, and thus could also suggest that the original chapel may have been on the site of the present building or indeed be the present building (perhaps succeeding the Billing cottage chapel). 1873 Documents for the Gorran Haven Wesleyan Chapel Trustee appointments, also recite a lease for the chapel dated 9 February 1830.
The Wesleyan chapel on Canton is well marked on early and later maps. It is always marked as Wesleyan. It appears on Wesleyan Preaching plans and in the 1867 return. It even had its own crockery labelled ‘Gorran Wesleyan Chapel” [many thanks to Colin Short].
Although a marriage licence was granted in March 1854, the only marriages that ever took place were under a new licence granted in 1953. There were only two: the first between Gerald Rowse and Rosemary Liddicoat and the second and last between George Burns and Flora Tripp.
The Sunday School, which had been very popular and welcomed children from all the Gorran Haven denominations, came to an end in the mid-1960s. The Chapel itself has had several alterations and adaptions over the years including a complete redecoration by the Vercoe Brothers of Gorran Haven in time for 150th anniversary in 1980. The Wesleyan Chapel was part of Mevagissey Wesleyan Circuit then St Austell Wesleyan Circuit. In 1932 it became Gorran Haven Methodist Church and became part of St Austell St Johns Methodist Circuit. From 1953 in St Austell Methodist Circuit.
By the 1970s, like many places of worship, attendance was in sharp decline. The Chapel was still open 1980 but closed around 2000 and photos from 2013 (from the MPM website) show it in significant disrepair, under conversion. It was converted by the architect Richard Church and the external information boards from the original chapel have been saved and now adorn the internal walls as a reminder of the building’s heritage. It is now converted into residential.
Heritage Gateway: Wesleyan chapel. Simple vernacular example with painted rubble walls and a half-hipped roof. Pointed-arched windows with margin-pane sashes and coloured glass. Late C20 porch at entrance end. Listed in Stell.
Royal Cornwall Gazette, 27th November 1869
‘Wesleyan Missions: The annual meeting of the Gorran branch of the Wesleyan Missionary Society was held in the Gorran Haven Chapel, on Thursday, Capt. Furse, of Mevagissey, presiding. Addresses, advocating the cause of Christian Missions, were delivered by Rev. C. J. Preston (circuit minister), Messrs. W. Libby, R. Pawlyn, and T. Darlington, from Mevagissey. The proceeds were considerably in excess of last year.’
The West Briton, 3rd July 1879
‘Sudden Death: At Gorran Haven, on Sunday, Edward Gray, an aged man, died suddenly during Divine service in the Wesleyan Chapel. Mr. J. Carlyon, coroner, held an inquest on Wednesday, when the jury returned as their verdict “Died from the visitation of God.”’
Royal Cornwall Gazette, 8th January 1886
‘Gorran Haven: A bazaar in connection with the Wesleyan Methodist cause at Gorran Haven, was held on New Year’s-day, and opened by the Hon. Mrs. Tremayne, of Heligan, Mevagissey. The amount taken was £37, which will be placed to current account on behalf of a new building in lieu of the old chapel at the Haven.’ [A long-term aim over the next fifty years that never came to fruition.]
St. Austell Star, 2nd January 1902
‘The Gorran Haven Wesleyans gave a service of song entitled, “No one’s darling”, on Christmas Day, in aid of the Twentieth Century fund. The connective readings were given by Mr. E. Lanyon. The singing was highly appreciated throughout. Mrs. Lanyon presided at the organ.’
St. Austell Star, 16th April 1903
‘Gorran Haven: On Friday, a Service of Song, entitled “Little Minnie” was well rendered, in connection with the anniversary services at the Wesleyan Chapel. The Rev. H. J. Quilter presided and read the story, while a most efficient choir under the leadership of Mrs. Lanyon, who presided at the harmonium, highly delighted the audience with music and song. The little Chapel was well filled and gave abundant evidence how very popular these services are in this village.’
St. Austell Star, 27th July 1911
‘Haven Wesleyans: The anniversary in connection with the Gorran Haven Wesleyan Sunday School was celebrated on Sunday last week when appropriate sermons were preached to large congregations by Mr. Bacon, of St. Austell. On Thursday the scholars and officers if the school paraded the village, led by the Foxhole brass band, in a field near the chapel tea was provided. After tea there was a short open-air service conducted by Mr. A. B. Brown. Subsequently another procession was formed, and later in accordance with long standing custom and Irish jig was indulged in. At the Sunday services there was special singing by the children and choir, who had been trained for the occasion by Mrs. Lanyon, of Treveague.’
St. Austell Star, 4th December 1913
‘The vicar of Gorran writes complainingly of the small attendance of adults at the Gorran Haven Tuesday evening services, and he offers but a lukewarm welcome to the children who do come because they all go to chapel on Sundays. In his comments, reproduced in another column, Mr. Hainsellin wishes it to be understood tat “there will be no prizes, teas, nor treats given, for attendance at the Haven church on Tuesday evenings. The rev. gentleman’s inference is obvious enough, another observer might suppose there was something more attractive about the chapel services, seeing that the practice of giving prizes and treats is not confined to any particular religious body.’
St. Austell Star, 2nd July 1914
The Quarterly Wesleyan Circuit meeting was held at the chapel the previous week and noted its concern about the ‘lax doctrine’ being preached both locally and nationally Amongst other items: ‘A telegram was received from Mr. F. Stocker, of Penstrassoe, announcing agreement to the sale of a site at 25 years’ purchase for a new chapel at Gorran Haven.’
The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 18th January 1923
Redruth Miners at Gorran: Concerts were given by a choir of eight miners from Redruth at Gorran, on Saturday and Sunday. The choir sang in the Council School on Saturday, in the Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday, and in Gorran Haven Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday evening.’
The Cornish Guardian, 20th June 1929
‘Gorran open-air rally in aid of Wesleyan new building fund: A very successful open-air rally was held on Thursday afternoon last at Goran Haven in delightful weather. The effort was organised on behalf of the new Wesleyan Chapel Building Fund. It is hoped the new building will be commenced as soon as the funds permit. The services were held on the beach and attended by people from various parts pf the St. Austell Wesleyan Circuit.
Through indisposition, the chairman of the district, the Rev. J. Herbert Rider, was unable to attend, but the Rev. A. D. Gifford, Superintendent pf the St. Austell Methodist Circuit, was deputised for Mr. Rider, gave a very suitable address to the afternoon gathering, over which Mr. F. Wills Mutton (St. Austell) presided. Tea was provided on the beach and over 200 guests set down to an excellent spread arranged by the friends at Gorran Haven.
In the evening it was most inspiring to see such a large gathering on the beach and surrounding cliffs for the meeting, presided over by Mr. Edgar Shaw, of Camborne. The Rev. J. R. Temple, of Truro, and the Rev. Harry Taylor, of St. Austell, gave appropriate addresses. Community singing was led by the Rev. R. A. Blackburn, of Mevagissey, who also rendered a solo, and at the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Blackwood announced that the sum of £38 had been realised as a result of that effort.’
The Cornish Guardian, 27th June 1935
‘Methodist Invasion at Gorran Haven. St. Austell Circuit Quarterly Meeting. Tributes to Ministers and “Locals”: It was an historic day at Gorran Haven on Thursday last, when there was a large Methodist invasion at this picturesque old world fishing village, occasioned by the last quarterly meeting of the St. Austell Wesley Circuit as a separate body. In consequence of the Methodist Union proposals the Primitive Methodist Circuit will join the St. Austell Wesley Circuit in September next, when it is hoped the newly appointed superintendent, the Rev. R. Hudson, will preside.
The business on Thursday last was presided over by the Rev. D. Gourlay Thomas. At the morning session, there were two local preachers placed on the fully accredited list – Mr. C. Golly (St. Austell) and Mr. W. Furse (Mevagissey).
A luncheon was provided by the Gorran Haven Church, which was served in the local institute, the tables being presided over by Mesdames L. Billing, G. Whetter, J. T. Liddicoat, J. Liddicoat, C. Ball and the Misses B. Liddicoat, L. Liddicoat, F. Ball, Pill, Dingle, R. Liddicoat, L. Beer, F. Dyer and J. Stephens.
Mr. W. Julian, in proposing a vote of thanks to the friends for their hospitality, paid a tribute to the warmth of their welcome to ministers and local preachers on Sundays and remarked that it was it was always a tonic to them to planned at Gorran Haven. Mr. W. C. Vincent who seconded, regarded Gorran Haven as one of the live wires in the Circuit. The vote was carried with enthusiasm and the Rev. D. G. Thomas added a similar tribute.’
The Cornish Guardian, 11th July 1935
‘Gorran Haven: The Sunday School anniversary services were held at the Methodist Church on Sunday, when the Rev. A. G. Payne preached morning and evening. The little church was packed and the special singing, with Miss L. Beer at the organ, was considered to be excellent. The soloists were Miss Ena Ball and Mr. L. Billing.’
The Cornish Guardian, 2nd November 1944
‘Gorran Haven: In connection with Foreign Missions the annual meeting was held in the Methodist Church, Gorran Haven, on Wednesday. Rev. W. R. Kerry presided, and religious films were shown. Miss Isabel Stephens was at the organ.’
The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 16th December 1999
‘Gorran Haven Methodist Church: The annual carol service of Gorran Haven Methodist Church will be held today at 2.40pm, followed by tea and mince pies. There will also be a carol service on Sunday at 11a.m. All are welcome.’
