On his first visit in 1745 John Wesley faced a threatening mob and had to escape by river to Penryn. Falmouth became the head of a separate circuit in1817. 'Wesley', now 'Central' Church on The Moor, was opened in 1876 and reconstructed in 1956 following wartime damage. A memorial window represents John and Charles Wesley, together with other 'founders' of Methodism, Hugh Bourne, William Clowes and William O'Bryan, plus 'Billy' Bray. Pike's Hill (WM, 1867) was one of the 'Morning Prayer' chapels until 1899. Damaged by enemy action, it closed and was demolished in 1979.
The BC cause in Falmouth was weak. A chapel, opened in Smithick Hill in August 1835, was faced with closure in 1850, but replaced by Berkeley Vale chapel in 1867 (closed in 1956 and later used by the URC). A Falmouth Circuit was formed in 1821. In 1835 it became part of the Gwennap Circuit and in 1864 was in the Hicks Mill Circuit. A Falmouth and Penryn Circuit was formed in 1881.
'Langholme' MHA opened in 1968.
John Wesley's Journal:
September 1755: 'The town is not what it was ten years since. All is quiet from one end to the other. I had thoughts of preaching on the hill near the church, but the violent wind made it impracticable, so I was obliged to stay in our room. The people could hear in the yard likewise, and the adjoining houses, and all were deeply attentive.'
August 1789: 'The last time I was here, about forty years ago [i.e. in July 1745, overlooking his visits in 1755 and 1770], I was taken prisoner by an immense mob, gaping and roaring like lions. But how is the tide turned! High and low now lined the streets, from one end of the town to the other, out of stark love and kindsness, gaping and staring as if the ing were going by…'
Entry written by: TS
Category: Place
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