A former Methodist chapel in Penzance that has adjoining school rooms is to go under the hammer at auction.

It is among 25 lots being sold by Clive Emson, the regional land and property auctioneers, next month.

Richmond Methodist Chapel in Tolver Place is is an important symbol of the importance of Wesleyan Methodism and held its first service in 1907.

It was one of the last major ashlar buildings constructed in Penzance from Cornish granite and was the final edifice of the Methodist church-building years.

The chapel’s doors finally closed in 2010 as the number of worshippers fell.

It was built by local builder George Pidwell to a plan by London architects, Messrs Gordon and Gunton, and was capable of accommodating 550 people on plain oak seating.

Sunday school rooms and a hall were added in the 1920s and the building was refurbished in the 1960s.

It is being sold with a guide price of £200-300,000 and comes with a sizeable area of lawned garden.

Scott Gray, auctioneer and regular on BBC1’s Homes Under The Hammer, said: “It is an historic building and is a rare and exciting opportunity.

“It is located within an established residential area only a short distance from the town centre and due to its nature, size and scale offers a variety of potential uses, subject to all the necessary consents being obtained.”

Also in Penzance, a mid-terrace, two storey house is also going under the hammer at the same sale.

Number 11, Rosevean Terrace is subject to a life occupancy at zero rent, meaning buyers will have to be looking for a long term investment.

The guide price is £45-65,000.

Starting at 11am, the fifth of Clive Emson’s eight regional auctions this year takes place at the St Mellion International Resort, St Mellion, Cornwall, on Friday, July 26.

Last month’s (June) round of four auctions, with 133 lots from Kent to Cornwall, raised nearly £12.6m, with a success rate of 78 per cent.

Clive Emson is the first in the south to offer internet bidding during the auction – the newly launched online service is aimed at bidders unable to travel to the venue.

Users of the service - through www.i-bidder.com/cliveemson - will need to register three days in advance, which is the same as telephone and proxy bidding.