A short introduction to Cornish Methodism

In this article, collections and research volunteer Sue Roberts explores the history of Wesleyan Methodism in Cornwall and how it came to be such a big influence on Cornish society.

Methodism first came to Cornwall after Bristol sea captain Joseph Turner founded a religious society at St Ives in 1743 and two lay preachers were sent to look at the possibility of Methodist work in West Cornwall.  Wesley visited annually in order to develop his Methodist Mission to bring the word from St Ives and out into society, through meetings in private homes to larger ‘preaching houses’ where more people could gather.

In the 18th century the first people to be called ‘Methodists’ were a group of friends in Oxford. John Wesley (1703-1791) was one of these and he started the movement which became the Methodist Church.  Wesley first visited Cornwall in August 1743, a month after his brother Charles Wesley (1707-1788).

Preaching to the working classes

John preached throughout Cornwall, travelling on horseback from Penzance to Looe, and many other places in between. He had difficulties with the established church, but his preaching appealed to agricultural and industrial workers who felt excluded by Church of England ministers. In 1759 he formed the Methodist Society.

Charles was better known as a writer of hymns (156), while John wrote seventeen. The Wesley brothers preached the Gospel of Redemption which was brave at a time when life was harsh for the poor. Gwennap Pit (where Wesley had some of his best attended services), has held a preaching service every Whit Monday since his death. In 1773 John preached to 32,000 people at Gwennap.

Methodist preachers wanted to supply the fervour lacking in the established church, they were revivalists and they succeeded in reviving both established and non-conformist churches. Wesley gained his hold by supplying opportunities for religious expression, which was seen as lacking in Cornish hearts for two centuries. The itinerant preachers were working class and understood their fellow women and men. They were self-taught and keen to improve their education.  

In spite of deliberate opposition, Wesley’s personality and perseverance overcame violence and prejudices. From the first preaching at Gwennap Pit in 1762, the ‘Pit’ was to become a central focus for Cornish Methodism in later years. In 1795 the Methodist church separated from the Church of England.

From Zennor to Wendron to Camborne, Wesley’s hymn book could be found in most houses, completely changing attitudes which had previously rejected his teachings. Many places now had a simple building in which to worship.  The whole country was changed by Wesley’s work but perhaps nowhere more so than Cornwall, the land of ‘Tre Pol and Pen’. By 1798 there were five circuits comprising 95 chapels across Cornwall.

Encouraging individual religious expression

Methodists were beginning to be seen to be faithful, reliable and lived by their words, in contrast to the reputation of some Church of England ministers. Followers were encouraged to move away from established church doctrine to Methodism. People were thinking about their religion for themselves, and this change led to thoughts of education for all ages.  

Vast changes followed the enthusiasm shown from working people, preachers and congregations.  From 1760 buildings went up when land became available, with people ‘owning’ their buildings by buying shares with very little money and they were built by volunteer labour.  At the height of this enthusiasm chapels were built that would seat between 600-800 people.  The buildings provided social space and Sunday Schools blossomed with Anniversaries celebrated and Annual Tea Treats which included all the congregation.

Saved by Faith alone

Under Wesley, Wesleyan Methodism developed as a dynamic and national movement. His personality and authority maintained unity and central control. Towards the end of his life, he set out rules for the course of Methodism after his death. He had preached his last sermon in February 1791 and died in March that year.

The core message of Methodism was that we could be saved by Faith alone. Early Methodists accepted both an outward and inward discipline of regular attendance as a ‘means of grace’, and a renunciation of ‘the pleasures of the world’.

The ‘Great Revival’ of 1814 started at Camborne and spread throughout West Cornwall, adding 5,000 members.  A great number were young people many of whom became Methodist leaders in the future. Methodism here in Cornwall found its expression in hymns, often sung in the workplace as well as chapels. Cornish Methodism was spread abroad during the 19th century as emigration increased and miners and others travelled to the Americas, Africa and Australia in search of work and new opportunities.

Praying in the workplace and singing hymns

The impact of Methodism meant prayers and hymns were not uncommon in the workplace, for example Delabole quarrymen would stop work to gather and listen to a preacher. By the 1870s traditional songs were considered by some as ‘devil’s music’ and one Methodist drew his curtains when the Furry Dancers went by on Flora Day in Helston (8 May).

Organs began to be installed in chapels, for example, Penzance in 1827, Carleen in 1834. Chapel organists included Thomas Merrit (1862-1908), from Illogan Highway, who is still popular with choirs today for his carols. Dr Ralph Dunstan (1857-1933) was the greatest Cornish Methodist musician and an important collector of traditional Cornish songs and carols. Choirs were also forming, though this was not universally popular at the time. Prayer meetings were small and informal.

Rising followings

By 1840 membership in Cornwall had risen to 26,000 followers. In 1851, 60% of congregations attending religious services were Methodists, higher than anywhere else in Britain. Also by this time, other branches of the movement had developed: United Methodist Free Church, Bible Christians and Free Methodists and were united by 1907 into the United Methodist Free Churches. In 1851 Methodist preacher William O’Bryan formed the Bible Christian church in North Cornwall and Billy Bray, a former miner and reformed alcoholic, joined them and became a charismatic preacher.

In 1879 an economic slump caused widespread poverty. Methodist landlords such as William Bickford-Smith created labouring jobs to help men earn enough to feed and house their families.  James Hargreaves, Superintendent at Porthleven, sought orders in Italy to increase the sale of Cornish pilchards to help local fishermen.

Education remained central to the Methodist cause. By 1880 Truro Wesleyan Middle Class College (later Truro School), opened a chapel and churches became responsible for the education of the young. 

Celebrating Methodism today

In Trewint, where Wesley preached in 1745, each year on 24 May a Wesley Day Service takes place.

By 2005 the percentage of people attending a Methodist service remained three times higher in Cornwall as in England and in 2012 attendance at Methodist chapels was increasing again.

Methodists believe that religion should come from the heart and that it had to make a difference to how you live your life. In Britain there are around 220,000 Methodists in about 5,000 churches, with over 80 million across the world.

By Sue Roberts

Bibliography

Cornwall’s People, Carolyn Martin 2009

Cornwall and its People, A.K. Hamilton-Jenkins 1970       

The Little Ship, Helston a book of Memories, Denis Bray 2003

On a History Trail of Helston, Bill Scott 1998

Ancient Borough of Helston, H.S. Toy 1912

United Free Methodist Magazine 1877-1881

West Briton 26 December 1968

Development of Free Methodism, Roger F.S. Thorne

A History of Cornish Methodism, Thomas Shaw   1967