Via Hayle Pump August/September 2011

THE FIRST WESLEY "MEETING HOUSE" IN COPPERHOUSE HAYLE

In 1785 The Cornish Copper Company in Copperhouse built this unique Meeting House, especially for John Wesley; in the same year he was invited to preach at the Opening Ceremony of the Chapel. His preaching on that occasion was based on the book of “ John ” chapter V verse 10. In 1787 he was again invited to preach in the Round Chapel, also to visit the Cornish Copper Company ’ s Foundry and smelting works. The following words extracted from John Wesley ’ s Journal dated 9 th September 1787 describes this unique meeting house - “ The Copperhouse Meeting House is unlike any other in England both 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 CCC at that time, were prominent Methodists, this probably led to “ waste ” slag or “ Scoria ” blocks from the CCC smelting works being used in the construction of this unusual Chapel. The Wesley Meeting House was situated behind the old Commercial Hotel, (now known as the Copperhouse Hotel).

Unfortunately it was demolished in 1820 Scoria blocks from The Round Chapel were incorporated into the building of Copperhouse Chapel further up the hill which was situated on the corner of Chapel Lane and Chapel Hill opposite the old " J. Symons " shop. This Chapel was also demolished in the 1970’ s.

Marion Peller 2017

"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."