Churches of the British Isles

Killigrew Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel sits on the eastern side of Market Place, with the Jacob's Ladder access footpath from Vernon's Place visible here to the right of the chapel. This is also the south-eastern flank of The Moor, which contains Falmouth's central administrative offices and plaza area. John Wesley established a Wesleyan society here in 1754, with the first chapel being built here in 1791 and a second in 1837. The present building was completed in 1876.

That 1876 building had a seating capacity of fourteen hundred, but it twice suffered bomb damage during the war. Its shell remained intact but its internal layout and decorations were badly damaged. For ten years the congregation met at Berkley Vale (see below) whilst it was being repaired. Today it looks as good as ever, being a Grade 2 listed building which was re-dedicated on 14 March 1956. It closed in 2022 and, by 2025, was being converted into apartments.

All Saints Mission Church was located slightly to the south of the Wesleyan Chapel on Killigrew Street, four buildings (not doors) away and to the immediate left of the Pennycomequick public house in this shot. It was built in 1876 as a mission for King Charles the Martyr Church (see links). Some references suggest it was previously a Unitarian chapel of 1818 (see below). Repaired in 1893 it was still noted in the 1930s, prior to demolition and replacement with shops.

Falmouth Central Spiritualist Church is found by heading further along Killigrew Street and turning right to climb the start of Quarry Hill. It sits on the east side, about fifty metres north of Berkley Vale. Known as the 'Lighthouse on the Hill', it was established in 1946, members meeting at a variety of venues until moving to this site in 1970. The old building was unsafe by 1997 and had to be demolished. The new building opened in 1998 and the meeting remained active into 2025.

The Moor Unitarian Chapel is too old to easily be located. References suggest that further development of 'The Moor' as a civic focal point came with the building of a Unitarian chapel here in 1818. An 1818 document suggests there was some conflict around or within the congregation at this time. A Unitarian chapel in Falmouth was purchased in 1840. Possibly this was later converted into a theatre and then the Anglican mission chapel of 1876 (see above).

Falmouth Evangelical Church is located along the southern arm of Killigrew Street, on the western side of the street, about a hundred metres to the north-east of the Brook Street junction. The church marked its twenty-fifth anniversary in May 2013, with its pastor coming to the church in 1998. During this period the evangelical congregation was able to gain its own premises here, buying this previously non-secular building at auction. The church remained active in 2025.

Brook Street Salvation Army Centre is found on the western side of Brook Street, just twenty metres or so away from the Berkley Vale junction. The Baptists moved out of their Webber Street Chapel in 1877 (see links) and, in 1881, the chapel was sold to the Salvation Army who were very successful here, sometimes also having to use the old drill hall opposite (later a cinema). They moved to this building in 1970 and remained active into 2025.

Berkeley Vale Chapel sits on the southern side of Berkley Vale, about fifty metres west of the Brook Street junction. Built as Bible Christian in 1867, it later became United Methodist and then, in 1932, Berkeley Vale Methodist Church. It closed in 1956, before becoming a Congregational chapel then Falmouth United Reformed Church incorporating Trinity Baptist. That closed in 2019, with 2020 plans for conversion being interrupted by squatters setting up home there.

Ebenezer Gospel Hall can be found by heading up Berkley Hill and turning left into the western half of Trevathan Road. It sits on the southern side, about thirty metres from the junction. It is first shown as a hall on 1930 maps and is noted in modern planning documents as having been gospel chapel. Those planning documents note a change of use from chapel to commercial property in 2006. Application was made in 2020 to convert into a residential premises.

All photos on this page by Jo Lewis.