Church of Saint Columba
Church of Saint Columba is located in Cornwall
Church of Saint Columba
Church of Saint Columba
Location within Cornwall
50°26′08.5″N 04°56′25.1″W / 50.435694°N 4.940306°W / 50.435694; -4.940306
LocationSt Columb Major
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
WebsiteLannpydar.org.uk
History
DedicationSaint Columba the Virgin
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade I listed[1]
Designated1967
Specifications
Spire height80 feet (24 m)
MaterialsSlatestone rubble with granite dressings
Bells8
Administration
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseTruro
DeaneryPydar
ParishSt Columb Major
Clergy
RectorRevd. Helen Baber
Curate(s)Revd. Tess Lowe
Minister(s)Phil Tremain
Laity
Organist(s)Keith Rusling
Churchwarden(s)Colin Rescorla

St Columba's Church, St Columb Major is a 14th Century, Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England in St Columb Major, Cornwall.[2] In 1860 plans were drawn up by William Butterfield, in hope of St Columb church becoming the cathedral of the future diocese of Cornwall, but the cathedral was built at Truro.[3] A second church dedicated the same saint is known as St Columba's Church, St Columb Minor

History edit

One of the earliest records were reported in the Taxatio Ecclesiastica, which was compiled 1291-2, which gives the total taxable revenues of the 'Ecclesia Sancte Colombe Maioris' was given as £17 3s. 4d.[4]

The North and South isles were erected by the Lords of Trenowith and Trewan. The lands of Trewan wiere taxed with an annual payment of 13s 4d for the repair of the south isle.[5]

The current church dates from the 13th to 15th centuries. The font is Norman and there are many good examples of woodcarving in the church: these include the bench ends dated 1510, part of the rood screen, wagon roofs, a C19 carved wooden pulpit.

Parish status edit

The church is in a The Lann Pydar[6] joint benefice with:

Organ edit

The organ dates from 1870 and was built by Bryceson & Ellis of Lincoln. A specification of the organ can be found in the National Pipe Organ Register.[7]

Font edit

The octagonal stone font in south aisle, of circa 1300 with carved sides, including 5 men's faces, on stem with clustered outer shafts.[8]

Bells edit

Acording to the National Bell register,[9] there are 8 Bells dating from 1776 to 1950. The earliest bells are by J C & W Pennington of Exeter. (1776). The later ones are by John Taylor & Co, (1950 & 1969). One bell from 1825 is by John Rudhall. The bells were overhauled in 1950 by Loughborough Bellfoundry. The heaviest of the bells is the tenor, which weighs 1404lb or 637kg.[10]

Memorials edit

Some of the more interesting items are some fine monumental brasses and memorials, including:

War Memorial edit

The granite War memorial is designed to represent a classic Cornish cross. It names 55 men connected to the parish who lost their lives in the first and second world wars

Other features edit

There is also fine wooden screen by the architect George Fellowes Prynne "St Columb screen". and some exceptional oak benchends, dating as far back as 1510. The fine organ is by Bryceston Bros. & Ellis of London and a "Letter of Thanks" to the Cornish people sent by Charles I in 1643 is found in many Cornish churches. There are also two sculptures by the artist Allan G Wyon and a stained glass window portraying St Columba the Virgin (illustrated above). In the churchyard is St Columba's Cross.

External Links edit

References edit

  1. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Columba (Grade I) (1144068)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  2. ^ Beacham, Peter; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2014). The Buildings of England. Cornwall. Yale University Press. p. 55. ISBN 9780300126686.
  3. ^ "''The Gentleman's Magazine'' 1860, p. 147". Google.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Benefice of St Columb Major". The Taxatio Database. Humanities Research Institute of the University of Sheffield. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  5. ^ Polsue, Joseph (1867). A Complete Parochial History of the County of Cornwall: Compiled. Lake. p. 225. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  6. ^ The Lann Pydar Benefice, Cornwall http://www.lannpydar.org.uk/index.html. Retrieved 13 May 2019. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ "NPOR [K01270]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  8. ^ . Historic England https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1144068. Retrieved 14 May 2019. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ "A National Bell Register". Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  10. ^ Doves Guide for Church Bell Ringers https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/detail.php?searchString=st+columb&Submit=+Go+&DoveID=SAI+COLUMA. Retrieved 14 May 2019. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ Byrne, Muriel St. Clare, (ed.) The Lisle Letters, 6 vols, University of Chicago Press, Chicago & London, 1981, vol.1, p.307
  12. ^ Dunkin, E.H.W. The Monumental Brasses of Cornwall, 1882
  13. ^ Dunkin, E. (1882) Monumental Brasses. London, Spottiswoode; pp. 27–31, 75–82, pl. XXVII, LVI, LVII
  14. ^ "Monument to Robert Hoblyn". Royal Society. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  15. ^ The Role of Anti-Catholicism in England in the 1670s

Category:Church of England church buildings in Cornwall Category:Grade I listed churches in Cornwall Category:Anglo-Catholic church buildings in Cornwall Category:Christianity in Cornwall