HICKS MILL METHODIST CHURCH

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The History of Hicks Mill Methodist Church

Truro Methodist Circuit (12/4)

Truro Methodist Church

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The Wayside Conference Chapel called Hicks' Mill

The tall hills of Cornwall are composed of granite and generally run almost direct North to South leaving wide troughs between their prominence. Lower ridges running in the opposite direction often sub-divide these main basins of the County's landscape creating numerous smaller valleys at the base of which will be found the small familiar streams of running water. One such valley with its mouth toward the East is known as the 'Carnon Valley ' one arm of which stretches roughly from Devoran up to the slopes of Lanner whilst the other arm reaches to St. Day. The main tributary of the 'Carnon River' which empties into the 'Fal' at Devoran, is from the direction of Chacewater and contains the flow of water from the County Adit which is the longest man-made water tunnel in the world. Another tributary of this main river carries the overflow from the now disused mine at 'Tresavean' and formerly was coloured red because of its content from the Calciners of that mine which burnt the 'Mundic' removing its Sulphur content and producing Iron Oxide as a by-product. For this cause the river upon whose bank Hicks' Mill stands has traditionally been known as 'Red River' though now it seems almost incredible to Youth who has not known its history for the only evidence seems now to being mud which occasionally is stirred and in the stained timber which still remains in places. After the closure of Tresavean, almost ten years elapsed before the water became clear again and its mineral content will probably for ever prevent it becoming a home of fish. Some of the water from this stream has been diverted by the "Edweir" at Coombe to work the wheel of the corn mill (from which the hamlet has undoubtedly derived its name) and thence crossing the main stream again by aquaduct the small current was used to work a Tin Stamps at Point Mills before rejoining its parent supply.

The date of origin of the name of this hamlet has been a matter of local speculation but certainly appears to be of comparitive age. The deeds of the Methodist Chapel in this scattered hamlet recite reference to a Counterpart Conveyance between Francis Paynter and Stephen Hicks dated the eighth day of June sixteen sixty seven. Perhaps it is not too fanciful to deduce that this man excavated the small water channel and built the aquaduct close to the corn mill he erected on his chosen site from which in due time the vicinity took its recognised name. This small area with its indefinable boundaries which lies between Point Mills and Coombe, became more renowned than any of its neighbouring hamlets through the witness of the Chapel which having received its name from the centre of corn grinding soon caused it to retreat into obscurity for when people thought of the place, it was primarily because of the Chapel rather than the mill itself. This long standing tendency has been accentuated since the disuse of the mill wheel for revolving the stones which formerly ground excellent meal.

The origin of the Bible Christian Society that erected a small sanctuary close to the corn mill has been mentioned in several previous publications including Bourne's 'Life of Billy Bray' and Maker's volume entitled 'Cob and Moor Stone'. It is as clear from these records as from Bible Christian Magazines that the activities of the Society became so rapidly progressive to render several extentions to the structure very essential. When the Church was at the height of its powerful influence the total premises we so inadequate that certain week night meetings were held on the premises known as 'Chycoose Vean'. Illustrating 'Cottage Meetings' not only the foundation of the Methodist Chapels but continuing as an integral part of its witness and complimentary to its activities. Not only did Billy Bray associate himself with this Society before building other 'Bethels' with his hands but other personalities of wide influence have received their early Christian influence here which has enabled them to occupy positions of import primarily because they were men of God.

Brief History of Methodism in Gwennap Parish

Wesley visited the Gwennap area on a number of occasions as his Journal shows by its numerous entries. These with his three visits to Bezore would have sandwiched the Hicks' Mill population as he obviously concentrated on the workers of the Wheal Jane and the United Mines. Legend says that a number of the Beauchaump family turned a bull on him in the renowned 'Pitt' and he declared God would terminate their original male issue.

Methodism spread rapidly in Gwennap as in all Cornwall. Before 1784 the Wesleyans had only two Circuits in the County with St. Austell as "Head" of the Eastern end and Redruth leading the West. A plan of 1775 reproduced in the "Cornish Methodist Church Record Magazine" for March 1893 reproduces a plan of Cornish Wesleyanism of 1775 by which time the foundations of the Gwennap Circuit of later days was laid, Gwennap having Thomas Mitchell as Steward and Stythians having John Jenkin in the same Office. By ten years later a third Circuit based on St. Ives had been formed. By 1821 the Truro Wesleyan Plan shows Gwennap & Gear, Kerley and Twelveheads, Ponsanooth and Perranwell circling the hamlet which is the centre of this essay. By 1826 Wheal Busy and Carnon Downs were added to the circumference. In due course Sunnycorner, Frogpool, Busveal and Carharrack were added to the others in Gwennap Parish. Now Gear lies idle; Sunnycorner (where Solly Stone of Camborne preached just before the First World War on "Old shoes, clouted with leather" whilst in a special campaign he sought to revive the 'Cause') has now been demolished but the result of the intruding Bible Christians who established themselves at Hicks' Mill continues to show a light and to proclaim its truth amid the continuing ex-Wesleyan circle. In the process it established its sense of urgency tospur the Wesleyans at Twelveheads, Perranwell and Carharrack and so helped to strengthen the Christian Circle whilst remaining the chief if not only B.C. sanctuary within the strict limits of parish boundary.

It was into such a Wesleyan atmosphere that Thomas Tregaskis came in the early 19th Century and lit a light, we trust that will never be extinguished. The Anglicans in those days had not built at Baldhu but worshipped in what is now called "The Cott" at Bissoe, just Carnon side of the bottom of Baldhu Hill. There too marriages were solemnised long before Hicks' Mill reached such heights.

This aspect of witness soon became so unique that soon it claimed celebrity for itself without seeking such. Concentration on working the works of God was singularly blessed as God honoured those who honoured him. It is recorded there were converts every week from 1821-27. Consequently whilst neighbouring Wesleyan churches continued permanently as chapels in respective Circuits this place forged its own separate tradition to extend that as an aside to the long tribute to Mrs. Catherine Verran in May 1877 of the B.C. Mag, William Gilbert said "when I entered on the itinerancy in 1846, it was my good fortune to be appointed to the Gwennap Circuit, which then included the places that now constitute Redruth and Hicks' Mill Circuits". Later Hicks' Mill was associated with Truro and for many years gave its name to a new Circuit extending to include Falmouth, Penryn, Flushing and Mawnan Smith.

This is an age of Amalgamations and "Take-Over-Bids". Memberships have now declined. Hicks' Mill is again a part of a Truro Circuit which includes Ex Primitive Methodist as well as one time Wesleyans. Local chapel enmity never seemed dominant in the area and strong, local ties of families and Faith now combine to constitute a new Circuit for expressing the nature of Christian character and witness.

THE ORIGIN - Chapel Building

It was the zeal and determined foresight of Thomas Tregaskis which brought Hicks' Mill, Gwennap into prominence amongst Methodists. There is another chapel of the same name in North Cornwall but it is this one in the farther West which has become renowned. References exist in many places to this Church but this collation of material though very incomplete may renew local zeal and inspire future Methodists to imitate their ancestors' anxieties to extend the Kingdom of God.

Samuel Pollard was not only a Missionary to China but the author of a memoir of Tregaskis (B.C. Mags. Aug. 1872-Sept. 1873 md.) He records that Tregaskis was born in the parish of Kenwyn 17-9-1785 of parents in good circumstances and received education at evening classes which were run by a Clergyman. This was then a tolerably good education. In 1807 he left home without his parents' consent and twice crossed the Atlantic in a mail-boat. Early in 1808 or the next year his father, who had recently purchased the Hicks' Mill, offered it to Thomas to work it. This decided him not to stay abroad.

Quotations from his diary state that he 'entered on the new premises 25th March 1807 having one of my sisters to keep house.' He neglected the business under the influence of alcohol until it was almost ruined. He later learned that the ship in which he had intended making another Atlantic crossing had been lost without survivors. This sense of gratitude for life and sense of providence spurred him to better conduct and attention to his business. He was thought to be skilled with the sword and when there was fear of a French invasion he joined the Yeomen Cavalry. He acquired skill as a boxer but his expensive drinking habits continued. On New Year's Day 1810 he married and he described himself as being "pretty steady, but without God in the world" from 1811-14. Apparently he never lost his love for adventure and was also a mining speculator in a small way, losing £300 in the Cathedral Mine (Carnmarth) probably due to the noted inaccuracy of reports of its reputed wealth.

Perhaps it was this love of adventure which God later consecrated? His wife first committed herself to Christ in Conversion. Influenced by her Tregaskis records that he 'went to the preaching almost every Sunday'. Later in his diary he speaks of "attending God's house from week to week"; but there is no indication to which chapel he went. Gradually his wife lost her zeal. The memoir records that "while in his old carnal condition and she in a backslidden state" God acted. His diary states "It pleased God to send some other of His servants to work in His vineyard. By the instrumentality of Miss Susan Baulch, in September of the year 1820 both my wife and myself were brought to God". He observes that he "never thought that such joy could spring up in (his) heart by believing in 'Christ and Him crucified'."

His activity for God began almost immediately. A thatched barn (no longer thatched but probably still standing?) adjoining the mill became a 'Bethel' to him. He invited others to join him there. Preaching followed what would have been only prayer and testimony meetings originally. Within about a year from his conversion the first chapel was erected a little way from the barn 'on the same estate'. (Obviously "Chapel Farm" and the mill originally belonged together as one holding.) Lawrence Maker in his "Cob and Moorstone" says that having "secured the necessary materials and with the assistance of a few of his friends, Tregaskis commenced to build a church. By day and by night, Tregaskis and his loyal band of helpers worked with all the enthusiasm and diligence of the old4ime craftsmen who erected Solomon's Temple. Then on August 19th 1821, the work was done

This chapel (which was probably the "Chapel Vestry" adjoining the farm house) was opened on 18th August, 1821 by William O'Bryan and James Thorne. A record says

"O'Bryan, morning, text Psalm 1OO: 4. Thorne, afternoon on Numbers 23: 23. O'Bryan evening, on "Pray without ceasing". Afternoon, densely packed audience, crowds outside unable to enter, in all estimated at a thousand. Lovefeast followed evening service. Tregaskis comments; "Evening crowned the day."

William Bourne in a footnote in his biography of Billy Bray says "It soon became the birthplace of so many souls that its enlargement became necessary, which was carried into effect in 1824, Mr. Wm. Reed preaching the first sermon when it was reopened". Extracts from the B.C. Mags and the Tregaskis memoir record "First day in March 1824 (Tregaskis) thinks of enlarging chapel. Parents' consent obtained, though mother fearful re. trees in front of building which would have to be removed. Some opposition from those who think chapel will become too large. In end work proceeds and chapel opened on the Sunday week following Whitsun, 1824: Br. Reed morning "not many people on account of rain". After, Br. Warne, chapel full. Evening, Sister Davey, "Victory was ours". So wrote Tregaskis. At this time Wm. Reed was completing his probation at S. Keverne and Edmund Warne (1) was at Truro.

The same footnote from Wm. Bourne says "Subsequently, other enlargements and alterations were made, till it came to be a spacious, square built structure capable of holding four or five hundred persons". The 1865 B.C. Jubilee Vol. p.55 prints a reference to Hicks' Mill following its reference to the 1821 Conference at Shebbear and implies the Hicks' Mill extensions were very rapid. This is not quite so. "On the 19th of the same month, the first chapel at Hicks' Mill, Gwennap was opened for Divine Worship by W. O'Bryan and J. Thorne; with most gracious seasons at the public meetings. The chapel has since been enlarged three or four times and many revivals of religion have been experienced there. Praise God. The same volume on p.227 records "The Conference of 1861 was held at Hicks' Mill Chapel, Gwennap, Cornwall. The chapel had been enlarged a third time, being raised higher, with the addition of front and side galleries. Commodious Schoolrooms had also been erected adjoining the chapel". These were completed with Conference in mind.

Nevertheless, the story of Hicks Mill Methodist continues. The 180th Chapel Anniversary took place on 18th and 19th August 2001.

Visitors are welcome to look round the Church (open daily from 9am to 5pm) and to share in our worship and other activities. Spare copies of the weekly Church Notices are usually available in the porch as are details of the fine organ. The Church Caretaker or the Church Office (open every afternoon) will be glad to supply further details.

Truro Methodist Circuit (12/4)

Truro Methodist Church

Methodist and Other Interesting Links