Rehoboth Chapel in Tresmeer enjoyed a splendid 90th anniversary and harvest festival on Sunday evening, October 1.

The Newton St Petrock Choir gave a fine programme of mainly Christian songs, well suited to the occasion. The ladies associated with the choir rendered their own songs with enchanting sweetness. Mrs Hill and Mr David Ley accompanied on the keyboard.

The choir was expertly guided by Mr Norman Turner, musical director. Mr Roy Johns, the choir secretary, gave a recitation.

Mr Peter Parsons gave a talk on the history of Rehoboth Chapel, and its two earlier chapels, the first one was a Bible Christian Chapel which was built nearby around 1830 following the work of the Bible Christian evangelist William O’Bryant. Historical contact was made with the first chapel when builders clearing the attic in a nearby house came across a box of membership class tickets; one of the tickets was dated 1853. The next contact was in a Bible Christian magazine of 1862 with the words ‘our chapel at Tresmeer is in a dilapidated state, and work on a new chapel will begin soon’. The second chapel was opened around 1874 and was situated in the present graveyard. A need for a larger chapel soon became apparent and plans were drawn up — the original plans were on display for the evening.

The third chapel was the first to receive the name ‘Rehoboth’ a word from the bible, which means ‘a larger space’. It was built by Mr Down who was present at the opening of the chapel in 1927. Mr Down took his little five-year-old son Brian with him, and Brian remembers the opening celebrations with clarity.

Now, 90 years later, Brian is a member of the choir and said, health permitted, he would have been in attendance to cut the anniversary cake.

Mr Raymond Quance, the longest serving member of the choir, cut the cake on behalf of Brian. A large photograph of Brian was positioned on the table next to the cake.

The anniversary cake, which drew many comments of admiration, was made and donated by Mrs Ann Johns, a local resident.

The chapel walls displayed many large historical pictures detailing the history of the second and third chapels. Mr George Grigg played the chapel organ for the three congregational hymns.

Mr John Hill most ably chaired the evening. A very fine supper followed. Over 120 persons were in attendance and the collection came to £553.