Churches of the British Isles

Perranwell Station Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (Second Site) lies to the south of the first site (see above). Head down Greenwith Hill to the Station Road junction, from where it is visible to the left, on the southern side of Station Road. This large Gothic chapel had its foundation stone laid on 17 March 1879. Its first service was held on Thursday 5 February 1880. The chapel was designed by James Hicks, built in the Early English style to accommodate six hundred.

The chapel building is still virtually complete and unchanged, despite small fires in 1922 and 1976 which threatened to destroy it. At the Methodist union in 1932 it became Perranwell Station Methodist Church, but falling attendances meant it had to close in 1986, and the building was sold in 1988. Grade II listed, it has since been converted to host the local preschool. Perranwell now has a united church which meets in the parish church (see below).

Perranwell Station Bible Christian Chapel could be found on the north side of South Hill, just past the Royal Oak pub, and set back from the road in what is now the area between Chyvogue Meadow and Westmoor Crescent. Built in 1865 and renovated in 1892, it became Perranwell United Methodist Church in 1907 and then Chyvogue Methodist Church from 1932. By 1940 it could seat 249, but it closed and the premises were sold in 1969 to be demolished for housing.

The Church of St Piran Perran-ar-worthal is to be found at the southern end of Church Road which is accessed just north of the Royal Oak. A Norman chapel probably existed on the site of the church, as evidenced by the tympanum over the south door. A church was then built in the fifteenth century, of which only the tower remains. The chancel was rebuilt in 1842 and then again in 1882 when the nave, aisle, and porch were also rebuilt by James Piers St Aubyn.

The tower is of three stages and is finished with battlements and crocketed pinnacles. The arcade comprises five low, obtuse arches and two modern pointed arches, all in granite. A vestry was added in the twentieth century, while the belfry contains six bells. The octagonal granite font possibly dates to the late medieval period but was reworked in the rebuilding of the nineteenth century. Perranwell Methodists have more recently accessed the church for worship.

All photos on this page by Jo Lewis.