The 1832 Wesleyan chapel on Chywoone Hill, enlarged in 1866, had become unsafe by the 1990s and worship was relocated to the schooroom. The chapel is listed Grade II* and is described as 'one of the best and most complete early C19 chapels in Cornwall'. However the 'City Road' layout was removed in 1950. As well as being listed, it is also on English Heritage's 'At Risk' Register. It stands as a monument to the inherent danger in listing chapels without offering funding, and which are thereby condemned to decay. In the old chapel is a tablet commemorating Mark Guy Pearse who preached his last sermon there in 1926. A major renovation of the adjacent Sunday School into a modern worship facility with community premises was completed in 2006.
Centenary Chapel on Gwavas Road is the former Primitive Methodist Chapel, built in 1928 to replace Ebenezer (1835) in Boase Street. After many years being used as a Sunday School, Ebenezer was sold in the late 1980s and is now a fishing company's store.
John Wesley's Journal:
July 1747: 'At five I walked to a rising ground, near the seashore, where was a smooth white sand to stand on. An immense multitude of people was gathered together, but their voice was as the roaring of the sea. I began to speak, and the noise died away; but before I had ended my prayer some poor wretches of Penzance began cursing and swearing and thrusting the people off the bank. In two minutes I was thrown into the midst of them; when one of Newlyn, a bitter opposer till then, turned about and swore, "None shall meddle with the man; I will lose my life first.' Many others were of his mind; so I walked an hundred yards forward, and finished my sermon without any interruption.'
September 1748: 'I reached Newlyn a little after four. Here was a congregation of quite a different sort [from that at Zennor] - a rude, gaping, staring rabble-rout, some or other of whom were throwing dirt or stones continually. But before I had done, all were quiet and still; and some looked as if they felt what was spoken.'
September 1751: 'I began at Newlyn about five. About the middle of the sermon there was a violent shower of rain and hail; but the bulk of the congregation stood quite still, every man in his place.'
September 1757: 'At five I preached in Newlyn to a huge multitude, and one only seemed to be offended - a very good sort of woman, who took great pains to get away, crying aloud, "Nay, if going to church and sacrament will not put us to heaven, I know not what will." '
September 1762: 'At eight [on Sunday morning] God was in the midst, and many hearts were broken in pieces.'
September 1765: 'In the evening I preached in a little ground at Newlyn to a numerous congregation. None behaved amiss but a young gentleman who seemed to understand nothing of the matter.'
September 1768: In the evening I preached at Newlyn. Small rain fell all the time; but none went away.'
Entry written by: CCS
Category: Place
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