It’s up for a grabs for a bargain price but the transformation work might need a special buyer – or divine intervention
The 1867 Crafthole Methodist Church in South East Cornwall has been put up on the market for £85,000(Image: Scott Parry Associates)
A historic place of worship dating back more than 150 years “with potential” in “Cornwall’s forgotten corner” has been put on the market.
The 1867 Crafthole Methodist Church in Crafthole village, a stone’s throw away from Tregantle Beach in Whitsand Bay, south east Cornwall, has been put up for sale for £85,000.
The Methodist Church said the sale had come about as a result of a dwindling congregation.
Although there has been a centre of Methodist worship in the village since 1795 the church itself was only completed in 1867 and comprises a venue for worship and, on a lower level, a room of about half this upper area, generally referred to as the “schoolroom” which has previously been used for Sunday school, various church clubs and societies and for table tennis matches.
The building was later modernised with the addition of a toilet and kitchen in 1983 and in 1988 two coloured glass windows were installed behind the pulpit.
Between January and April 2002 further alterations were completed giving access to both levels by an internal stairway and stair-lifts for the disabled.
On its website Sheviock Parish Council write: “It is generally agreed that the Church provides a Christian witness in the area and plays an important part in village life in addition to providing a venue for worship, despite a small Church membership.”
The building – which is not listed – is on the market with Scott Parry Associates estate agents. The agents said the church is “centrally located within the prized village setting of Crafthole on the beautifully unspoilt coastal hinterland of Whitsand Bay and the Rame Peninsula”.
They describe the church – which is 2,105 sq ft in size – as comprising a detached former Methodist church with “potential for alternative uses subject to any consents that may be required”.
The estate agents add: “The old fishing village of Portwrinkle, with a harbour (with kayak and dinghy storage by permit) and two small beaches is only 0.75 mile away and is home to the Whitsand Bay Golf Club.
“This is an extraordinary unspoilt coastal region away from the tourist routes and adjacent to the beautiful Rame Peninsula. The village of Antony (two miles), has a popular primary school and is also within the catchment area of two Plymouth grammar schools, with their excellent reputation.
“The broad sweep of Whitsand Bay boasts over three miles of golden sands with seasonal RNLI Lifeguards and the crystal clear waters are renowned for bathing, surfing, kayaking and all manner of watersports.
“Whitsand Bay is officially designated a Marine Conservation Zone noted for the abundance of marine flora and fauna. Tregonhawke and Treninnow Cliff lie within an Area of Great Landscape Value and is also a designated County Wildlife Site.
“Nearby the villages of Kingsand and Cawsand (five miles) both have a welcoming community, are home to the Rame Gig Club and are well equipped with a variety of local shops, pubs and restaurants together with a sailing club and other facilities.”
They added: “The Rame Peninsula is relatively little known, often described as ‘Cornwall’s forgotten corner’, forming part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with quiet beaches and outlined by the South West Coastal Path which can be accessed only about 800 metres south of the property.
“The Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, an 800-acre area of coastal woodland and open hillsides, is possibly one of the most beautiful and varied locations of Cornwall, lies only seven miles distant.”
The Reverend Stuart Reed, superintendent minister for the South East Cornwall Methodist Circuit, said: “Following many years of decline in the congregation, and the death of some very key members, the remaining six members decided that it was no longer feasible to keep the building running and it closed as a place of worship in December 2025.
“The remaining members of the chapel have moved on to worship at St Germans Methodist Church, which is just 10 minutes away.
“As with all church closures we look at the provision in the local area and recognised that the village is served by St Mary’s Church in Sheviock.
“We also look at what other public amenities are available in the area, and Crafthole is well served by the Sheviock Memorial Hall, which came into being partly because of the hard work and dedication of previous members of Crafthole Methodist Chapel.”
He added: “Incidentally, we did have some external user groups look at the building to see if it was suitable for their use, including a youth boxing club, but due to its location – you step out directly onto the road without any pavement – they all deemed it unsuitable for their use.”
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