Rights Managed > Royal Cornwall Museum > Places > Gwennap Pit
Gwennap Pit, Busveal, Cornwall. Around 1900s
Filename: TRURI-GWEgp-3.tiff
Size: 8389 x 6107 (53MB)
Date: 23rd May 2017
Source: Royal Cornwall Museum
County: Cornwall
Location Name: 50.217312, -5.173211
© From the collection of the RIC
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum
Gwennap Pit, Busveal, Cornwall. Around 1900s
A service at Gwennap Pit. The photograph captures an excellent display of fashionable clothing worn for Sunday best. 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 Philp
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TRURI : GWEgp.3
Media ID 13576681
© From the collection of the RIC
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Gwennap Pit, Busveal in Cornwall during the 1900s. The image beautifully captures a service taking place at this historic open-air amphitheatre, renowned for its association with John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. The photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into the fashion trends of the time, as individuals don their Sunday best attire. Gwennap Pit holds significant historical and cultural importance. Originally considered a remnant of mining activities in the area, it transformed into a natural amphitheatre adorned with lush vegetation by the 1760s. John Wesley's first visit to Gwennap Pit on September 5th, 1762 marked the beginning of his frequent preaching there until his death in 1791. In November 1806, Richard Michell and four mine Captains from Gwennap decided to reconstruct and repair this cherished site as a tribute to Wesley's memory. The amphitheatre boasts twelve staged rings that span from top to bottom. It is believed that walking around all twelve levels equates to one mile while accommodating an impressive capacity of up to 1,500 people. Photographed by Arthur Philp (not affiliated with any company), this print serves as both a visual delight and an invaluable historical artifact preserved by Royal Cornwall Museum. It invites viewers on a journey through time, offering insight into religious practices and fashion choices prevalent during early twentieth-century Cornwall.
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