The old Celtic Cross south of the church yard has been used as a gate post and is not in its original position. This gives the idea that this site was used a place of worship prior to the Norman period.
Dedication.
St Symphorian is a little known Saint in England, but many churches are dedicated to him in France. Perhaps he was familiar to the Bottreaux family who came over with William The Conqueror. He was a native of Autun, in Burgundy and was sentenced to death and beheaded in A.D 282 when he was still a young man for protesting against the worship of the goddess Cybele. He is commemorated on the 22nd of August.
There are remains of the Norman Church which can be seen in the south wall of the nave and in the south transept, where a plain round arch is in evidence. The font is also of this age and has a strange change of design from one side to the other.
1189-A document of this year records the gift of Forrabury Church to Hartland Abbey.
Note.
(see 1867) The old medieval oak benches were removed and most were sold or destroyed, but fortunately not all. These today form the alter, pulpit and credence table. of the five panels forming the alter front, that on the left shows the letters A S the later being like a serpent. The next panel is in two halves a dove and a shield with a lance rest. The centre panel is the lamb and flag over the letter M, which is probably the monogram for Mary. the next panel has the emblems of the Lords Passion the cross with crown of thorns , Hammer and pinchers on one half with Spear, Sponge, Heart and Nails on the other. The right hand panel is geometrical design.
1760-approx the tower was built.
1842-The roof was almost blown in by a gale always called "The Jessie Logan Gale" which damaged most of the house roofs in Boscastle. The church roof was repaired at the cost of £46.2s.11p.
1847-In the vestry minutes it is stated that the inhabitants are inconvenienced for the wanting of sittings in the church and the enlargement of the building would be desirable.
1867-The church was almost completely re-built. (Before this the church was described as a very ancient), and interesting structure being a dimly lit cruciform Norman Church with a tower dating 1760.
Apart for the tower, the south side of the building and porch, the church was taken down and re-built as we see it now.
Parish Boundaries.
Forrabury is a very small parish (508 acres) and extends only 1 1/2 miles inland. The western boundary runs from the coast at Grower Gut southwards just taking Welltown Manor. On the east side the boundary between Forrabury and Minster follows the course of the western branch of the river Jordan, northwards to the coast past Paradise.