Falmouth Methodist Church is to hold its last service in the building it has called home for the last 150 years before it is sold.

While the sale has yet to be completed, the church is preparing to say goodbye to its building across from The Moor this Sunday, January 16, with a service of thanksgiving from 4pm.

Rev Andrew Mumford, Superintendent Minister for the Falmouth & Gwennap Methodist Circuit, said: "It will be with mixed emotions that the Methodist congregation say goodbye to the building that has been their home for around 150 years, and to a site where there has been a Methodist chapel since 1791.

"The final service will be one of thanksgiving for the past, sadness at the sense of loss, and hope for the future, as the congregation moves on."

Taking part in the service will be members of the church, ministers from the Falmouth & Gwennap Circuit, and other old friends, led by Rev Andrew Mumford.

Everyone is welcome to join the congregation for one last time in the iconic building in the centre of the town. Anyone attending is asked to wear a face covering.

From January 23, the congregation will be worshipping in New Street Theatre Hall, belonging to the Parish Church of King Charles the Martyr, on a temporary basis. They will continue to hold their services at 10.30am.

"This temporary arrangement will enable the Methodist community to decide where their future lies. There are hopes for a new building in Falmouth, and a

suitable site is being sought," said Rev Mumford.

"Meanwhile, we are grateful to our Anglican friends for welcoming us and facilitating the use of New Street."

It was announced last June that the Methodist building in Killigrew Street was to close and be put up for sale.

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At the time Rev Mumford said that in addition to the half a million pounds needs to repair the roof, there was an estimated £1 million needed to make the building fit for purpose, explaining that while the location was "brilliant in some respects", being in the town centre, it also had a lot of shortcomings – not least a lack of parking and poor accessibility.

He has now told the Packet that the Methodist church is feeling "positive" about the future of the building.

Rev Mumford said: "If all goes according to plan we are positive about the use of the building for the future, which is important to us."

He also confirmed that plan was definitely not to demolish the building, as had been feared by some in the community, adding: "It will be there as a building, so people can recognise it and it will still have its place on The Moor." 

The building has been the venue for numerous weddings, funerals and events over the years, with the original building on the site dating back to 1791. This was followed by a further building in 1837, with the basis of the existing building completed in 1876, before major reconstruction during the Second World War after it was bombed.

Rev Mumford said: "A lot of people in Falmouth have expressed their sadness at the sale of the building, and lots of memories have been stirred. It has a special place in the hearts of a lot of Falmouth residents, many of whom were christened or married there."