History of Crafthole Methodist Church
Some interesting dates...
It was in the year 1743 that John and Charles Wesley first rode into Cornwall. The brothers came to Cornwall to engage in a mission of renewal in the life of the Church of England. In order to achieve their objective they set about visiting the parishes, preaching in the open air and establishing 'societies'- groups of their followers who would help one another on in Christian living. As they left each area they appointed travelling and local preachers to carry on the work in their absence.
John Wesley travelled through the county on 31 occasions between 1743 and 1789. Records show that most visits were to the West Mining Area, but he visited Liskeard six times and Saltash twice.
In 1775 and 1785 Wesley preached at St. Winnows in St. Germans Parish in the home of Mrs Ann Charlick. The stool on which he stood to preach now resides under the communion table in Liskeard Wesley Church.
On 21st August 1780 Wesley passed through Looe on his way from Plymouth to St. Austell. His Journal also records that on the 17th September 1768 he came to Crimble Passage, where due to the bad weather conditions he had to persuade the boatman to cross the Tamar river to Plymouth where he preached the next morning.
Whilst there are direct refrences in his Journal to Wesley ever preaching, or in that matter coming, to Crafthole, we can safely assume that he passed through the village as the turnpike road from Torpoint and Cremyll (The main crossing points across the river Tamar) went through the village.
It has been impossible to trace any actual records regarding the beginning of the Methodist Society in Crafthole, but we do know that on the 16th January 1795 a room in the house of Mrs Elizabeth Mullis was licenced for Methodist meetings at the Bishops register in Exeter. This was done at the request of John Trevithick, Edward Moor and Joseph Mallett.
From the date it appears that the Crafthole society is to be numbered amongst the first societies to be formed in East Cornwall and certainly was one of the early societies in Cornwall.
In 1805 the total amount of collection for Crafthole was £0.3s.0d, out of a circuit total of £24.14s.0d. There was no Sunday School contribution recorded.
In 1809 the Launceston circuit was split up and the Crafthole society formed part of the new Liskeard Circuit. This new circuit stretched from Fowey to the Tamar and included Saltash and Callington.
On the 9th August 1819 the first 'proper' Methodist Chapel was licensed at the Bishop Registery, however, by 1842 it appears that the society had outgrown it and required a new building. The second building was erected in 1843 on the present site and was registered at the Bishops Registery by Sam Perry, a boot and shoe maker from Devonport.
The 1851 census shows that 74 attended the morning service, and the evening serivice 105.
Within 25 years it was felt that the Chapel building was inadequate for the numbers attending worship. By this time Crafthole Wesleyan Chapel was in the Callington circuit. Plans for the present building were drawn up by Messrs. Dwelly and Son of Plymouth, details of which were approved by the Wesleyan Chapel Committee on 9th July 1867.
The cost of the new chapel was £500 and the chapel was dedicated on 14th January 1868.
In 1873 records mention a school being attached to the Chapel. Mr William Petherick was the Schoolmaster and Mary Petherick as Mistress.
More interesting dates...
- Jan 1915- The question of billeting soldiers in the Chapel was discussed.
- Feb 1922- Premises renovated at cost of £92
- Jan 1941- Repairs to the building were needed following damage caused by magnetic mines.
- Oct
1974- Repairs and painting to the exterior, cost £372
From the Crafthole Methodist Church Bicentenary Service Booklet, 1995, compiled by Rev David Alderman
