The old harbour on the tidal estuary of the River Camel was the port of the 7th century monastery of St. Petroc which moved to Bodmin after a Viking raid in 981.

The Wesleyans opened their first chapel in 1792, and replaced it in 1827. That building became the Sunday School in 1904 when a third chapel was opened. That in turn was demolished in 1987 for a car park and the former school room is now the chapel.

The town is renowned for it's 'Obby 'Os ceremony on 1 May. The Bible Christians set their hearts against this from the opening of their chapel in 1840. In 1845 the Bible Christian miller, Thomas Tregaskis (who lived south of Truro and owned the mill at Hicks Mill), tried unsuccessfully to bribe the Padstow people to give up their ancient custom in return for an annual gift of a bullock to provide roast beef. The port was a frequent embarkation for emigrants from North Cornwall including a number of Bible Christian missionaries. One such company sailed for Quebec in 1846, shortly before May Day. They congratulated themselves that they had avoided the old pagan ceremony, but some of the crew were Padstow men and they produced their own 'Obby 'Oss on the deck on 1 May.

The Bible Christian chapel closed in 1934 and the Methodists united at the Wesleyan chapel. The Bible Christian chapel became the Masonic Hall – and the 'Obby 'Os continues !

Entry written by: CCS
Category: Place
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