An application has been made to remove a church organ so that it can be relocated to a church in Italy. The instrument would be removed from Chynhale Methodist Church in Sithney.

A document detailing conservation efforts made for the Sweetland Organ has been submitted along with the planning application which is also seeking to allow the church itself to be used for ecclesiastical purposes.

It explains that the church was closed in 2015 and that the organ has remained in place since but says that in other cases where organs have been left in closed churches they have ended up destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

The document states: “It is proposed to relocate the organ to St Mark’s Anglican Church, Florence. Sweetland and his last apprentice Trice built several organs in Italy, but few have survived and none in their original condition. It would, therefore, be fitting that this organ found a new home in Florence.”

It goes on to say that the history of the organ and its Cornish origins would be made available in a permanent display in its new home in Italy with brochures to take away. The brochures “would also invite people to explore the many attractions of Cornwall”.

The last service at Chynhale Methodist Church was in 2015 after 136 years of worship

The last service at Chynhale Methodist Church was in 2015 after 136 years of worship

The Methodist groups which use the church are said to have “no use of the organ as their musicians use guitars, keyboard and drums”.

READ NEXT:

Dark Pony cafe wants to have tables and chairs outside - here's what happened

Chynhale Methodist Church held its last service on Easter Sunday, 2015 after 136 years of worship. William Bickford- Smith designed the chapel with the foundation stone laid on January 8, 1879

To find out more about the application and submit comments search for application number PA21/11909 on Cornwall Council’s planning portal.