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Gwennap Pit, Busveal, Cornwall. 1909
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum
Gwennap Pit, Busveal, Cornwall. 1909
A service at Gwennap Pit. An open air amphitheatre near Redruth made famous by John Wesley the founder of Methodism. John Wesley first visited Gwennap Pit on 5th September 1762. At this time it was described as a relic of mining activities in the area, with a rock face covered in vegetation by the 1760s. In 1766 Wesley described it as " a round green hollow gently shelving down" and as " a natural amphitheatre". In November 1806 a mining engineer Richard Michell of Gwennap and four mine Captains: John Martin, John Dennis, W. Davey and T. Trestrail met at Busveal and agreed to repair Gwennap Pit or rather reconstruct the amphitheatre in respect to and in memory of John Wesley who had died in 1791. Between 1762 and 1789 John Wesley preached at Gwennap Pit eighteen times. The amphitheatre has twelve staged rings top to bottom. It is claimed that walking around all twelve levels top to bottom is equal to one mile and that it can hold 1, 500 people. Photographer: Arthur William Jordan
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : GWEgp.8
Media ID 13576701
© From the collection of the RIC
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the historic Gwennap Pit in Busveal, Cornwall, dating back to 1909. Known for its association with John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, this open-air amphitheatre near Redruth holds great significance in religious and mining history. John Wesley's first visit to Gwennap Pit took place on September 5th, 1762. Initially considered a relic of local mining activities, by the 1760s it had transformed into a lush green hollow with vegetation-covered rock faces. In his descriptions from 1766 onwards, Wesley referred to it as both "a round green hollow gently shelving down" and a "natural amphitheatre". In November 1806, Richard Michell and four mine Captains from Gwennap decided to repair or reconstruct the amphitheatre as a tribute to John Wesley's memory after his passing in 1791. Between 1762 and 1789, Wesley preached at Gwennap Pit an impressive eighteen times. The photograph showcases the twelve staged rings that make up this remarkable structure capable of accommodating up to an estimated crowd of 1,500 people. It is said that walking around all twelve levels from top to bottom covers approximately one mile. Photographer Arthur William Jordan skillfully captured this momentous site that stands as a testament not only to Cornwall's rich mining heritage but also its deep connection with Methodism and the influential figure of John Wesley himself.
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