Via Hayle Pump August/September 2011

The First Wesley “Meeting House” at Copperhouse, Hayle.

John Wesley first preached in this building in August 1785, the same year, in which it was built for him. His preaching on that occasion, was based on John Chapter V, verse 19. He preached here again two years later and the following is an extract from his journal dated the 9th September 1787 on his visit to the Copperhouse Copper Works and pictured chapel:-

“unlike any other in England, both as to its form and materials. It is exactly round and composed wholly of brazen slags, which I suppose will last as long as the earth.”

Key figures in the “Cornish Copper Company” at that time were prominent Methodists, this fact, probably, led to the use of waste slag or scoria blocks, from the company’s own copper smelting works in the construction of the chapel. This unusual chapel was situated behind the old Commercial Hotel, now known as the Copperhouse Hotel.

The uniquely constructed building was demolished in 1820. The scoria blocks from the round chapel were incorporated into the building of Copperhouse Chapel further up the hill. This chapel also no longer exists.

Brian Sullivan