Mapping Methodism - St Mary Clement Methodist Chapel (Truro)
St Mary Clement Methodist Chapel (Truro) opened in 1830. The original denomination was Wesleyan and prior to that the Wesleyans met in at least four other locations around Truro. This profile has been compiled by Tony Mansell.
1761: The Reverend Samuel Walker, Curate of St Mary’s Church, died in this year. Until then, John Wesley had refused to set up a Wesleyan Society in Truro in opposition to him.
1761 probably: Truro Wesleyan Society formed with Cottage Prayer Meetings under “prayer leaders” and open-air meetings on the site of the old Truro Castle.
The first Wesleyan Meeting Place is thought to have been in an ope in Boscawen Street and the lead image shows the sequence of Wesleyan chapels that followed.
1767: 21 members
1768: The society moved to a “wooden chapel near West Bridge”. It was “built by Peter Raynolds at his expense”.
1783: John Wesley urged the society to “Hire a larger room”.
1789: The society rented a larger room near West Bridge.
1795: Mark Rowe, a Methodist and local tanner, gave the society a site in Kenwyn Street. The Wesleyans built their chapel there – the first purpose-built Methodist chapel in Truro.
1796 to 1830: The congregation grew and the building was enlarged twice. (Reverend Shaw)
The Wesleyan Society outgrew the Kenwyn Street chapel and it set out to find a plot of land on which a new chapel could be built. (The Kenwyn Street premises were subsequently used by a number of other denominations and organisations)
Finding a piece of land proved difficult due to “…strong prejudice against the people called Methodists”.
1829: Lord Vivian sold them a piece of land near the bottom of Pydar Street.
Philip Sambell, the deaf and dumb architect from Truro was appointed architect for the new chapel.
1829: The ceremony of laying the first stone of the new Wesleyan Chapel, in the rear of the late Mr Vivian's house in Pydar-street, Truro, will take place. (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Saturday 06 June 1829)
1829: “The Wesleyan Methodists built a chapel in Union Place.”
Historian, Ashley Rowe, wrote, “The work was undertaken in private contracts by ten of the builders of the town and in consequence of the full state of the building trade at the time was, though well done, cheaply built in 12 months”.
1830 – 2nd July: St Mary Clement Wesleyan Methodist Chapel opened.
1833: Truro class leaders James Saul and William Scott expelled by the Wesleyans and about 70 members left with them.
1866/67: Building lengthened by 23 feet and incorporated a Wesleyan day school. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 26 September 1867)
1872: £3,000 in debt. Royal Cornwall Gazette – Saturday 20 July 1872
1884: Chapel remodelled and refitted – architect: Sylvanus Trevail.
1885: St. Mary’s Wesleyan Chapel, Truro re-opening services. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Friday 20 March 1885)
1895: New organ installed. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 13 June 1895)
1997: St Mary Clement renamed Truro Methodist Church (A History of Truro by Viv and Bob Acton)
2000 – August: A £400,000 refurbishment scheme begins. (A History of Truro by Viv and Bob Acton)
2000 – 9th December: Truro Methodist Church reopens. (A History of Truro by Viv and Bob Acton)
Mapping Methodism - Truro Primitive Methodist Chapel
Truro Primitive Chapel was built in 1878, in Kenwyn Street, about fifty years after the denomination first appeared in Truro. This profile has been compiled by Tony Mansell.
1827: “The Primitive Methodists are now holding camp-meeting in various parts of this county. On Sunday last, several thousand persons assembled of these occasions, on a common within three miles of Truro, on the Redruth road, when discourses were delivered different preachers.” (North Devon Journal - Friday 14 September 1827)
1827: Richard Spurr licenced a place for worship in Walsingham Place, a mission hall, possibly a wooden building.
“The Connexion has for long time past been worshipping in the Public Rooms; but great inconvenience has been experienced in carrying the services.” (Western Morning News - Tuesday 16 July 1878)
1875: Site acquired in Kenwyn Street for new chapel.
1878: Built chapel in Kenwyn Street.
1878: “New Primitive Methodism at Truro. Yesterday the memorial stones of a new Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Truro were laid in the presence of a large concourse of spectators… The building, which will be in the early English style, will be 50 feet 3 inches long and 30 feet wide on the interior, and will accommodate 326 adults, 230 on the ground floor and 90 in an end gallery. The front will constructed of granite, and above the entrance door will be a large rose window. The staircases will be built on the outside of the body the building, and furnished with hipped roofs, ornamented at the eaves. The seats will be constructed with solid ends and reclining backs, and in place of a pulpit there will be a rostrum. The front of the building will be fenced with granite pillars with moulded caps, and ornamental gates and railings of cast iron. The architect is Mr. J. Wills, from Kingsbridge and Victoria Chambers, Derby; and the builders Messrs. Julian and Son. Truro. It is estimated that the building will cost £948, exclusive of proposed schoolroom, etc., which are not included the present contract…” (Western Morning News - Tuesday 16 July 1878)
1896: There seems to have been a move to sell the chapel to the City Mission but it did not happen.
1905: Truro Primitive Methodist Chapel was closed for necessary alterations. Incandescent light was installed and the pulpit had been repositioned. Efforts were being made to build a schoolroom. “Royal Cornwall Gazette - Thursday 30 March 1905”
1913: Whether due to dwindling funds or to finance a new project, Truro Primitive Methodist Chapel received a grant from the Connexion.
1939: The chapel and society closed.
1941: The City Mission Methodist Chapel (see below) rented the building.
The property was sold and became Dowty’s Furniture Store and then a restaurant.
Mapping Methodism - Truro Methodist New Connexion
Truro Methodist New Connexion Chapel was built in 1834 following a split with the Wesleyans. This profile has been compiled by Tony Mansell.
1833: Truro class leaders James Saul & William Scott were expelled by the Wesleyans and about 70 members left with them.
Initially met in a rented cellar in Quay Street.
Acquired a piece of land in Castle Street.
1833/34: Methodist New Connexion invited to open a society in Truro.
1834 – February/March: The first stone of the Ebenezer Chapel laid “in the moor near the leat”.
1834: “On Friday next, as will be seen, by advertisement in a subsequent column, the new Chapel erected in Castle Street, for the use of the Seceders from the Wesleyan Methodist Society in this town, will be opened for public Worship…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Saturday 14 June 1834)
1834: “Methodist New Connexion: On Friday, 20th June Inst. will be opened the new chapel, erected by the people of the above denomination, at Castle Street, Truro…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Saturday 14 June 1834)
1837: Ebenezer Chapel enlarged.
1838: Ebenezer Chapel re-opened.
1848/49: Loss of members to emigration.
1857: The Rev. William Booth visited Truro and held a revival meeting in Ebenezer Chapel and the membership began to increase again. (West Briton 12 June 1913)
1858: Ebenezer Chapel enlarged.
1861: William Booth resigned from the Methodist New Connexion movement.
1878: Schoolroom added.
1946: The Chapel closed.
1946: The building was taken over by W H Cornish as a sale room
Mapping Methodism - Truro United Methodist Free Church
Truro United Methodist Free Church was built in 1880: by then the movement had existed in Truro for about 25 years. This profile has been compiled by Tony Mansell.
Mid-1850s to 1876: Chapel in Kenwyn Street (Now William IV’s beer garden). It had previously been used by the Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Baptists.
1875/76: Rev. J Cockin appointed minister and remained in post for 37 years.
1876 to 1881: The chapel in Kenwyn Street which had been used previously by the Wesleyans 1796-1830), the Wesleyan Reform Church & Union (1852-1857), and prior to 1976, as a music hall and a school. It would later become the home of the Oddfellows Friendly Society and the Salvation Army (1882 to present – 2020).
“… a short time ago the idea was formed of building a new chapel, in consequence of the old one being insufficient to meet the requirements of a largely-increasing congregation…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 12 March 1880)
A piece of ground at a cost of £150 was secured in St. George's road. (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 12 March 1880)
“The Plans of Mr James Hicks of Redruth, were accepted and a short time ago Mr James Blight’s (Redruth) tender for the erection of the building at £2,245, was agreed upon. Mr W. H. Bray builder, of Truro, was appointed clerk of the works… The building will comprise a school, capable of holding about 500 children, vestries, and the chapel above, the interior of which will be seated in amphitheatre style with side seats slightly sloping. There will be a large gallery which, with an orchestra, will encircle the building, supported by iron pillars, and with ornamental iron panelling. A rostrum will extend from the orchestra with similar panelling, to be made of pitchpine, as will also the pews. They are to be of modern character with open ends. The seating accommodation will be for about 600. The building will be plaster waggon-roofed, with a few carved cross-beams protruding. The whole of the building will be heated with patent gas stoves. Macfarlan's ornamental railings, giving a very neat and pretty appearance will fringe the south boundary wall which faces St George’s Road. The chapel is expected to be opened for worship next Christmas.” (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 12 March 1880)
1880: “The ceremony of laying the foundation stones took place in favourable weather on Friday afternoon, some hundreds of people gathering on the spot long before the appointed hour: and the ceremony was also viewed from the leats at the rear of a large concourse. A procession was formed in the schoolroom of the old building in Kenwyn Street, the Sunday-scholars and teachers, choir and office-bearers, and some scores of visitors from Camborne and elsewhere joining, headed by the pastor and other ministers of the city, marched to the marched to the site of the new edifice…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 12 March 1880)
1880 – October: Construction of chapel complete.
“The building of the new chapel was started by Mr Blight who was unable to complete the work or pay his workmen. The work was then continued by Mr Gray of Redruth “whose conduct of his contract was most satisfactory to everybody concerned”. (Royal Cornwall Gazette 2 December 1881)
1881: “The handsome new chapel which the United Methodist Free Church have built in St. George's Road, Truro, was opened for divine worship yesterday (Thursday)…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette 18 February 1881)
1881: “On Friday evening, in the presence of a crowded congregation, the new organ was erected in St. George's Chapel, Truro, by Messrs. Brewer & Co., was formally opened by Mr. Edmond Holt, who gave a recital on the occasion…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 30 September 1881)
1903: Lecture hall and vestry added.
1997: The chapel closed.
1998: Utilised as a School.
2018: Renovated as nine apartments. Five of these are located in the main chapel. The gallery features top floor and mezzanine level penthouses with the remaining two reside in the remodelled Old School Room.
Mapping Methodism - City Mission Wesleyan Chapel - Truro
The City Mission Wesleyan Chapel, Truro, was located in City Road but, in 1942, moved to Kenwyn Street. This profile has been compiled by Tony Mansell.
Late 19th century: City Mission Wesleyan Chapel in City Road, Truro.
1942: City Mission Methodist Chapel, Truro, in City Road closed and moved to the vacant Primitive Chapel in Kenwyn Street.
1976: City Mission Methodist Church, Truro, in Kenwyn Street closed.
The property was sold and became Dowty’s Furniture Store and then a restaurant.
Mapping Methodism - Lemon Wesleyan Chapel – Truro
Lemon Wesleyan Chapel (Truro) was built in 1833 and remained in use until 1958. This profile has been compiled by Tony Mansell.
1830: The first Lemon Chapel built as a daughter chapel of St Mary's Wesleyan Chapel in what was then known as John’s Street (later William Street).
1870: Two classrooms added recently. (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Saturday 27 August 1870)
1887: New chapel built adjacent to the first chapel. Architect Silvanus Trevail. (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 01 April 1887)
1904: Three week’s closure for renovations. (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Thursday 11 August 1904)
1908: Chapel in need of enlargement. (Royal Cornwall Gazette - Thursday 01 October 1908)
Circa 1960: Chapel closed.
