Mylor Bridge Bible Christian chapel

The chapel at Mylor Bridge was built as Ebenezer Primitive Methodist chapel, but bought by the Bible Christians in September 1882. They literally re-badged it with a date plaque “Bible Christian Chapel 1882”

In April 1883 it was reported in The Bible Christian Magazine that “At this place our prospects are encouraging: a goodly number attend the public services, a small society has been founded, and five or six persons have recently been converted”.  The anniversary was celebrated on Sunday 16th September 1883, which strongly suggests that it had indeed opened in September 1882.

By 1901 the congregation were finding the chapel too small for their purposes, and wished to have a school room. Their current building had been registered as a chapel and school room, but after forty years views on its suitability had clearly changed.

A new building was designed by Ethel Mary Charles (1871-1962), the first female member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and the designs can be seen here

The foundation stone of the new chapel was laid in November 1906 but as the account in Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser which can be read here makes clear, the trustees had moved on to Plan B (by J.P. Jenkins of Penryn). The question must be asked, how much of Ethel Charles’ design survived? Was Jenkins’ Plan B a modification, or total change? The land had been bought, next to the old chapel, so perhaps it was a case of changing the specifications, going for cheaper options? Comparing the descriptions in the November 1906 account with Ethel Charles’ plans, it seems that the overall design was the same: that is a building measuring 41 feet by 37 feet, which could accommodate 150 people in three blocks, separated by two aisles, facing a pulpit in front of an organ.

The new chapel was opened on 17 May 1907, as a United Methodist chapel (the merger of the Bible Christians, MNC and UMFC having just occurred). The celebrations carried on for the next two Sundays, according to the local papers.

The old chapel is still standing, as 6, Passage Hill, Mylor Bridge. The plans and description suggest that the 1906 chapel stood to the right, with a frontage directly onto the street. Street View would suggest that the building now known as Brek House is in the correct position, and also shows what appears to be a foundation stone. It would be helpful if someone could visit the site and provide clearer photographic evidence.

Irrespective of whether the 1906 chapel was the first public building in England designed by a woman, the whole complex (new chapel and old chapel repurposed as a school room) was closed in 1934 following Methodist union. There was a Wesleyan chapel within 200 yards which was more capacious, and more stylish.  That chapel remains open to this day.

Sources:

Bible Christian Magazine 1883, p238

Royal Cornwall Gazette 21st August 1883

Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser 30 November 1906

Cornish Echo and Falmouth & Penryn Times  30 November 1906

West Briton and Cornish Advertiser  23 May 1907

Cornish Echo and Falmouth & Penryn Times  31 May 1907

Mapping Methodism: Mylor Bridge Primitive- Bible Christian chapel