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St. Ives Methodist Circuits

• St. Ives Wesleyan Circuit

  St. Ives was the first Methodist Society in Cornwall, in 1743, founded by Stephen Turner from Bristol. The circuit, when it was established, included Marazion, Lelant, Zennor & Halsetown in 1837 but note the overlap with the other circuits.

  Baptisms

  • Registers 1818–37 [inc. births] [RG4/438] PRO. 120 entries.
  • Registers 1841–56 [MR/IHY 371], 1856–66 [MR/IHY 372], 1866–85 [MR/IHY 373], 1885–1908 [MR/IHY 374] CRO.
  • Copy 1818–37 [MR/IHY 379] CRO
  • Copy (LDS) 1818–37 [0590674/6], 1813–37, 1841–1901 [1796108/28–32].
  • Copy 1818–37 (microfilm) WSL.
  • Transcript 1818–37 [inc. births] SoG.
  • Transcript (S. Townsend 2001) 1818–37 [inc. births] (book and CDROM).
  • Transcript (S. Townsend 2002) 1818–1900 (CDROM).
  • Transcript (Bill Curnow 2003) 1818–37, 1842–99 from LDS [1796108]. In register order
  • Index (Edwards 1976) 1818–37 [inc. births].
  • Index (CFHS database) 1818–36, reputed to contain 50 baptisms sourced mainly from the IGI.
  • Index (OPC Database) 1818–37 (120 entries).
  • Index (OPC Database) 1838–1908 (2835 entries).
  • IGI 1818–37 [C065401 from 0590674/6] [inc. births].

  Burials/Funerals

  • 1886 only in amongst the baptisms above LDS [1796108/28–32].
  • Index (OPC Database) 1886 (3 entries).

  See also the member churches below.

• St. Ives Primitive Methodist Circuit

  Founded 1830.

  Baptisms

  • Registers 1832–37 [inc. births] [RG4/851] PRO. About 60 entries.
  • Registers 1832–66 [MR/I/140], 1866–1924 [MR/I/141], 1924–32 [MR/I/167] CRO.
  • Copy (LDS) 1832–37 [0590674/8], 1832–1900 (or 1924) [1596470/15–16].
  • Copy 1832–37 (microfilm) WSL.
  • Transcript 1832–37 [inc. births] SoG.
  • Transcript (S. Townsend 2001) 1832–37 [inc. births] (book and CDROM).
  • Transcript (S. Townsend 2002) 1832–1900 (CDROM). In date order
  • Transcript (Bill Curnow 2003) 1832–1903 (on this site), 1904–24 (offline) from LDS [1596470]. In register order
  • Index (Edwards 1976) 1832–37.
  • Index (CFHS database) 1832–37, reputed to contain 54 baptisms sourced mainly from the IGI.
  • Index (OPC Database) 1832–1911 (2860 entries).
  • IGI 1832–37 [inc. births] [C045701 from 0590674/8].

  See also the member churches below.

• St. Ives Methodist New Connexion Circuit

  No registers are known to have survived but see the member churches below. Some chapels may have been part of the Penzance Circuit.

• Hayle & St. Ives Bible Christian Circuit

  No registers known but see the member churches below. Formed out of the Penzance circuit in 1864.

• Gulval

  • Gulval Cross Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1821/22 and had seats for 96. In 1851, Edward Trythall completed the return. The 1873 survey has it in the Penzance Circuit and reports 181 seats. This is now Wesley Villa, a private house.

  • Geer Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1814 and had seats for 140. In 1851, T. H. Pengelly was the steward. The 1873 survey has it in the Penzance Circuit and reports 182 seats.

  • Trezelah Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1842 and had seats for 90. In 1851, George French[?] was the steward. The 1873 survey has it in the Penzance Circuit and reports 117 seats.

  • Trevarrack Wesleyan

    Mentioned in Polsue in 1868 but not in the 1873 survey.

  • Tolverth Wesleyan

    Mentioned in Polsue in 1868 but not in the 1873 survey.

  • New Mill Teatotal Wesleyan Free Methodist

    This was founded in 1844 and had seats for 142. In 1851, John Friggans completed the return.

  • Gulval Methodist

    This was founded in 1884.

  • Carfury Bible Christian

    This was founded in 1833 and had seats for 172. In 1851, John Bennett was the elder.

  • Trythall Mission Church

    This was founded in 1885.

• St. Ives

  • St. Ives Wesley Chapel

    This was founded before 1800 on Street an Garrow and had seats for 1400. In 1851 William Burgess completed the return. The 1873 survey reports 1200 seats. Polsue records the building as having been erected in 1815. It was recently sold, see Bedford Road below.

    Baptisms

    • Registers 1908–93 [MR/IHY 422] CRO.

    Marriages

    • Registers 1912–20 [MR/RG 71], 1920–30 [MR/RG 72], 1930–40 [MR/RG 73], 1940–79 [MR/RG 74], 1980–95 [MR/RG 75] CRO.

  • Bank or Lower Wesleyan, Chapel Stret

    This was founded in 1824 and had seats for 160(150) with 25 attending on the day of the 1851 census and 40 being the average. William Burgess completed the return. The lease between Sir Christopher Hawkins and Thomas Bryant was for 99 years. This Chapel Street, once called Stevens’ Street, is what is now known as St. Peter’s Street.

    See St. Peter’s Street Chapel (below) for the later history.

  • Halsetown Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1832 and had seats for 310. In 1851 William Burgess completed the return. The 1873 survey reports 320 seats.

  • Hellesvere (Hellesveor) Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1844 and had seats for 152. In 1851 William Burgess completed the return. The 1873 survey reports 120 seats.

    There are some pictures of Hellesveor Chapel on this site.

  • Fore Street Wesleyan Teetotal

    This was founded in 1842 and had seats for 726. In 1851 John S. Withington completed the return.

  • Halsetown Wesleyan Teetotal

    This was founded in 1845 and had seats for 130. In 1851 John Worthington completed the return.

    In 1878 it re-opened as St. Mary’s Mission Church, a daughter church of St. John’s in the Fields (Halsetown) Church of England.

    The building was restored in 1977 and is occupied by a potter. Thanks to the St. Ives Archive Trust for this information.

  • Chyneley[?] Ebenezer Chapel (Primative Methodist)

    This was founded in 1831 and had seats for 800. In 1851 Robert Tuffin completed the return.

  • Trevalgan Chapel (Primative Methodist)

    This was founded in 1835 and had seats for 110. In 1851 John Stevens was the steward.

  • St. Ives Bedford Road Chapel (Methodist New Connexion/Wesleyan)

    In 1863 the minister was Wm. Butterworth.

    A brief history from a correspondant—The New Connexion Chapel was started in the Drill Hall in Chapel Street, they were a breakaway group from Wesley Chapel and were strictly teetotal! Bedford Road Chapel was built and they moved into it. Bedford Road later became part of the Wesley Circuit and Bedford Road and Wesley merged about six years ago [1995] to form the United Methodist Church. They moved into Bedford Road, the Wesley Chapel was sold and is now used as a backpackers hostel and a Theatre for Kidz-R-Us who bought it. The Bedford Road site was split up and the Sunday School was sold off and the whole interior of the Chapel was changed.

    Inside is a stone with the following inscription:—

    Methodist New Connexion
    Established 1797

    The memorial stones of this Church were laid June 2nd 1898 by Mrs. E. Hain (representing her son Edward Hain Esq., Justice of the Peace) and by the Rev. Henry Faull.

    The Church (together with the adjoining school) was opened for divine worship August 3rd 1899. It was erected by the congregation previously worshipping in a chapel situated in Chapel Street and erected in 1842.

    Minister: Samuel Wright
    Treasurer: Edward Hain Jr.
    Financial Secretary: Joshua Daniel

    Secretaries: Lander E. Comley, William Faull

    Baptisms

    • Registers 1860–99 [MR/I/114], 1901–61 [MR/IHY/225], 1961–93 [MR/IHY/421] CRO.
    • Copy (LDS) 1860–99 [1596470/18]
    • Transcript (Bill Curnow 2003) 1860–99 (on this site) from LDS [1596470].
    • Transcript (S. Townsend 2005) 1860–99 (CDROM) Note this is on the Penzance Wesyeyan CD.
    • Index (OPC Database) 1860–99 (329 entries).
    • Index (OPC Database) shown as "(formerly New Connexion)" 1901–11 (74 entries).

  • St. Ives Back or Quay Road Chapel (Bible Christian)

    This was founded in 1849 and had seats for 144, but Polsue records its building as 1858 confusing it with the Peter Street chapel. In 1851 William Bun or Bur was the minister.

    The first Bible Christian meetings in St. Ives date from 1829. Some of these were in Mr. Jenning’s net loft but this collapsed and while it was repaired, they were held in the open air, probably in the area now known as Mount Zion. The loft was apparently in use from 1849 to 1858. Other records indicate that a loft owned by Samuel Hocking was in use, perhaps only for a special event, in 1849. This meeting was presided over by Thomas Leggo and William Beer, the circuit superintendant, and was in aid of relieving the debt incurred by the purchase/building/conversion of the Chapel. People mentioned at this meeting include Bros. Hollow, James, and Hocking.

    This chapel may have been in Quay Street or Back Row and was almost certainly a converted net loft. It’s probable location was on the present site of the Island Road Infants’ School. Later they removed to Fish Street and Victoria Place, another net loft, where there were 72 ordinary and 72 other sittings with a congregation of 150 both afternoon and evening on the day of the 1851 census. In 1853 the membership was 31. The history continues below.

  • St. Peter’s Street Chapel (Bible Christian)

    Originaly this chapel was called Bank or Lower Chapel (see above) built by the Wesleyan Methodists. It was purchased by the Bible Christians in 1858 for £105 and was rebuilt in 1859, enlarged to seat 300 at a cost of £400. The trustees were Mark Hollow, James Reynolds, Francis Almond Hocking, Almond Trevosso Hocking, John Stevens, Thomas Gyles and James Gilbert (the latter of Penzance). It was mortgaged to pay for the rebuilding to John Nicholas of St. Buryan for £250. Further alterations were made in 1871 at a cost of £60 and the freehold was obtained in 1873 for £160. Changes were again made in 1887.

    Further information can be seen on the St. Ives Bible Christian Chapel website which has a history page from which most of this information has been extracted.

    Baptisms

    • Registers 1912–34 [MR/IHY 325] CRO.

  • Halsetown Ebenezer Chapel (Bible Christian)

    This was founded in 1832 and had seats for 140. In 1851 Martin Ustick was the steward. Closed for some years but re-opened in 1902.

  • Lady Downs (Bible Christian)

    The society which had existed siince 1849 built a chapel in about 1860. This joined the Penzance Circuit in 1880 but closed in 1901 and is now a house.

• Lelant

  In later times, some of these chapels may have been in the Hayle circuit.

  • Lelant (Trendreath) Chapel (Wesleyan)

    This was founded in 1834 and had seats for 420. In 1851 William Burgess was minister. The 1873 survey reports 382 seats. It closed in 1985.

    Baptisms

    • Registers 1906–77 [MR/IHY 416] CRO.
    • Index (OPC Database) 1906–14 (42 entries).

  • Lelant Downs Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1844 and had seats for 166. In 1851 William Burgess was minister. The 1873 survey reports 126 seats.

  • Carbis Water Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1840 and had seats for 146. In 1851 William Burgess was minister. The 1873 survey reports 148 seats.

  • Polpear Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1831 and had seats for 142. In 1851 William Burgess was minister. The 1873 survey reports 118 seats.

  • Boldstamps Wesleyan

    I have no information about this except the name.

  • Lelant Primitive Methodist

    This was founded between 1800 and 1851 and had seats for 175. In 1851 Richard Hampton was steward and he noted that it was formerly Wesleyan. Polsue records that a building for this denomination was errected in 1859.

    Baptisms

    • Registers 1906–77 CRO
    • Index (Maxwell Adams) 1843–1902 Lelant website.

  • Chyangw[h]eal Chapel (Methodist New Connexion/Wesleyan Teetotal/United Methodist)

    This was founded in 1849 and had seats for 112. In 1851 Morgan Anthony was steward and it was Wesleyan Teetotal at the time.

    Baptisms

    • Registers 1886–1900 [MR/IHY/11] CRO.
    • Transcript (S. Townsend 2003) 1886–1900 (CDROM).
    • Index (OPC Database) 1886–1900 (24 entries).

• Towednack

  • Towednack Wesleyan

    There are two such chapels in the 1851 returns. One was founded in 1830 and had seats for 80. The other was founded in 1843 and had seats for 202. William Burgess was the minister for both. The 1873 survey reports 200 seats.

  • Nancledra Chapel (Wesleyan)

    This was founded in 1844 and had seats for 210. In 1851 William Burgess was the minister. The 1873 survey reports 200 seats.

• Zennor

  • Zennor Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1809 and had seats for 190. In 1851 William Burgess completed the return. The 1873 survey reports 230 seats.

    Photograph

  • Porthmear Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1839 and had seats for 120. In 1851 William Burgess completed the return. The 1873 survey reports 100 seats.

  • Trendrine Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1843 and had seats for 90. In 1851 William Burgess completed the return. The 1873 survey shows it as an "other Preaching Place" and reports 100 seats.

  • Tregerthen Bethesda (Bible Christian)

    This was founded in 1833 and had seats for 135. In 1851 William Hosking was deacon. It had been closed for some years in 1918 and is now a ruin.

Marazion Methodist Circuits

• Marazion Wesleyan Circuit

  Baptisms

  • Registers 1841–69 [MR/MZ/13], 1868–84 [MR/MZ/14], 1884–91 [MR/MZ/12*], 1888–1910 [MR/MZ/15], 1901–12 [MR/MZ/16], 1912–27 [MR/MZ/17], 1927–54 [MR/MZ/37]. * This is the second half of the Ludgvan Chapel register below.
  • Copy (LDS) 1868–1910 [1596548] (microfilm).
  • Transcript (S. Townsend 2003) 1841–1900 (CDROM). This does not include MR/MZ/12 which is in the separate transcript of Ludgvan chapel (below).
  • Transcript (Diane Donohue 2005) 1868–1910 (on this site)
  • Index (OPC Database) 1841–69 and 1868–1910 (618 entries).

  See also the member churches below.

• Marazion Methodist Circuit

  Baptisms

  • Registers 1927–54 [MR/MZ/37] as above, 1954–86 [MR/MZ/38].

  See also the member churches below.

• Ludgvan

  • Ludgvan Chapel (Wesleyan)

    I am not certain which of the below this chapel was, if any, on the 1851 return. The 1873 survey reports 865 seats.

    Baptisms

    • Registers 1855–91 [MR/MZ/12] CRO. LDS [1596548/3]. This is actually the Chapel register 1855–1884 followed by the Marazion Circuit register 1884–91.
    • Copy (LDS) 1855–84 [1596548/3] (microfilm).
    • Transcript (S. Townsend 2003) 1855–1891 (CDROM). This is the whole of MR/MZ/12 which includes the circuit register as described above.
    • Transcript (Diane Donohue 2005) 1855–84 (on this site)
    • Index (OPC Database) 1855–84 (172 entries).
    • Index (OPC Database) described as "Marazion Methodist Circuit" 1884–91 (224 entries).

  • Crowlas Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1835 and had seats for 800. In 1851 Edward Champion was steward. It is not mentioned in the 1873 survey.

    Monumental Inscriptions

    are available or possibly for Crowlas Wesleyan Teetotal below.

  • Trenawin Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1847 and had seats for 200. In 1851 Peter Rowe was steward. It is not mentioned in the 1873 survey.

  • Canon’s Town Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1843 and had seats for 120. In 1851 William Burgess was minister. The 1873 survey has it in the St Ives Circuit and reports 120 seats.

  • Truthwell Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1841 and had seats for 80. In 1851 Thomas Roberts was steward. It is not mentioned in the 1873 survey.

  • White Cross Wesleyan

    This was founded in 1810 and had seats for 60. In 1851 John Nicholls was preacher. A later building was errected in 1858. The 1873 survey reports 140 seats.

  • Newtown Wesleyan Association

    This was founded in 1839 and had seats for 92. In 1851 William Roberts was leader. The 1873 survey has it as an "other Preaching Place" and reports 130 seats.

  • Crowlas Wesleyan Teetotal

    This was founded in 1831 and had seats for 100. In 1851 William Williams was steward.

    Monumental Inscriptions

    are available or possibly for Crowlas Wesleyan above.

  • Ludgvan Primitive Methodist

    This was founded in 1837 and had seats for 186. In 1851 William Reseigh was steward. There is also a separate meeting house seating 32 recorded, William Rowe having made the return. A chapel was built in 1858 at Lower Quarter, Cockwells. Polsue records another at Boswase which may be one of the ones mentioned in the 1851 return. The West Briton Newspaper has a notice of a chapel opening in Lower Quarter on Sunday, 16 Sep 1838 by the Rev. Messrs. Perry, Wigley, and Driffield..

  • Ludgvan Bible Christian

    This was founded in 1842 and had seats for 140. In 1851 Thos. Leggo was preacher. Polsue says that this was at Batreva.

Hayle Methodist Circuits

Free Church circuits based at Hayle may have included parts of this district, particularly Lelant & Ludgvan.

• Hayle Wesleyan Circuit

  Baptisms

  • Registers 1864–1935 [MR/IHY/399]. The files MR/CB/1222, MR/IHY/203 and MR/CB/1223 may not be Hayle circuit as listed in the CRO guide. The first register shown here in fact starts in 1866.
  • Transcript (S. Townsend 2003) 1862–1900 (CDROM) but suggests that it may include some Ludgvan records.
  • Index (OPC Database) 1884–1900 and 1902–1914 (566 entries).

• Hayle United Methodist Free Church Circuit

  No registers known.

• Hayle & St. Ives Bible Christian Circuit

  No registers known.