Methodism in St Agnes

To help celebrate the 150th Anniversary of St Agnes Methodist Church, the Museum has mounted a display tracing the history of Methodism in the Parish.

See long forgotten chapels, learn of Wesley's travels to St Agnes, enjoy a "Gentlemen's Public Fancy Tea" at Goonown, learn more of the Rechabites from their colourful poster, and help solve the mystery of "The Benevolent Chapel 1837": where was it?

John Wesley mentions St Agnes many times in his journals, the first time being in 1747 when he wrote:

"Sunday the 5th (July) we rode to St Agnes. At 2, I preached to a large multitude of quiet hearers, many of whom seemed deeply affected."

In 1757 he hears of an earthquake in St Agnes on July 15:

"Some who live here gave me an account of an earthquake on July 15th. There was first a rumbling noise under the ground, hoarser than common thunder. Then followed a trembling of the earth, which afterwards waved once or twice to and fro so violently that one said he was obliged to take a back-step, or he should have fallen down."

Goonown Chapel is believed to have been the first Methodist chapel in St Agnes, erected in 1790 or perhaps 1785, at a cost of £500. In the early days it had a lime and ash floor and a notice hung in the porch: Ladies, please remove your Pattens before coming into Chapel. This was necessary to stop the iron rings of the pattens from cutting up the floor.

The building of St Agnes Methodist Church was begun by Mr Abraham Delbridge in 1860, with seating for 900 persons. The Memorial Stone was laid by Dr George Smith, Chairman of the Cornwall Railway, on 9 July 1860.

One worthy, on reading "AD 1860" on the stone, enquired what AD stood for: "Abraham Delbridge of course," came the swift reply!

The silver trowel used on this occasion is in the Museum's collection. The Chapel was opened on 18 June 1862 and its cost, including the land, was £2027-19-9d.

 

Click on the images, right, to enlarge

St Agnes Methodist Church

A tea treat

Illuminated book frontispiece presented to Rev G W Thompson when he left St Agnes in 1906