Methodism in Landrake

The introduction of Methodism into Landrake back in 1808 does not appear to have met any serious opposition.  It began quietly and avoided the sort of hostility which occurred in nearby St. Germans where Methodist followers initially had to meet in secret.

The earliest known services were held in the cottage of John Panter (a cooper), who was also a clerk to the Parish Church.  Soon afterwards, services were held in the kitchen of Wisewandra Farmhouse (near Blunts).  It is recorded that Mr. Webb provided a pulpit for preachers to use.  These services were apparently very successful and the place was soon put on the Circuit Plan.

In 1812 the first chapel was built, with a gallery added in 1834, which meant that 80 people could be accommodated.  Yet, as numbers grew, it was decided to erect a new chapel.  Designed by Mr. Hosking of Landrake, our present (now Sunday School) building was completed in 1895 and seated 180 people.

We must now mention that in 1860 Methodism had a second village base with the building of a Primitive Chapel along Pound Hill.  According to William Whitehead, who became a Local Preacher in 1915, the Primitive Chapel was regarded as the 'farm workers church', while the Wesleyan Chapel ‘served the bosses'.  If feelings of 'them and us' did exist, it certainly wasn't apparent to most of us growing up there at the time!  The Primitive Chapel closed in December 1963, with members transferring to the Wesleyan Chapel.

I was taken to the Wesleyan Chapel at an early age with Mum and Dad, and can well remember the Sunday School Anniversaries when the platform would be full of children. 

Some of the Chapel people influenced me tremendously.  My love of singing came from Wesley Thomas, who was quite strict and would always tell me whenever I went wrong!  If Wesley thought that the congregation was not singing properly, he would stop playing the organ and call out, 'Come on, you can do better than this’.

There was also Tom Arnold, our  Superintendent, whose helpful teaching about Jesus I’ll never forget.  My love of the Scriptures comes from him particularly.  People might wonder why my family chose to worship at the Chapel.  Yet it was something I just accepted, and tried to make time spent there with other Christians as enjoyable and worthwhile as possible.

(Helen Sparks, Feb. 1999)