Dedicated to two saints, St Martin, bishop of Tours in France and popular mediaeval saint, and the Celtic St Meridoc (Meriasek in Cornish), he is also honoured in Brittany, where you can still find preserved his bell and holy well situated at Stival. He also became Bishop of Vannes. The life of St Meriadoc rediscovered 1869 in Wales, as in the play "Beunans Merisek", tells the story of the saint coming to Camborne and founding a church beside the chapel of St Mary. The site could well date from the Celtic pre-Norman period.
The church appears to have been originally cruciform with transepts leading off what is now the nave and chancel aisle and may date from the 12th to 13th centuries.
The north and south aisles and tower were added probably in the 15th century, in perpendicular Gothic style.
From evidence in the churchwardens accounts it would appear that the east end of the north aisle was not added until the late 1530’s, when the east wall of the chancel was also rebuilt incorporating a new window. The lower exterior walls of the chancel and its side wall to the north exhibit rubble masonry from the pre-15th century church.
1671-Two churches stood within the churchyard walls, the main parish church as well as the chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was once an important shrine.
During the reformation the chapel to the Blessed Virgin Mary fell into disuse.
1630’s-The Chapel to the Blessed Virgin Mary was renovated only once again to be neglected in the times of Cromwell.
1671-The stones from the chapel to the Blessed Virgin Mary were used to build the parish poor house in what is now Pendarves Road.
1735-the Basset family of Tehidy added a small transept onto the south aisle for use as a family pew. The new outer south aisle, added in 1878-9 swallowed this up.
1793-Is the date of the sundial over the out door.
1862-the existing church was gutted and the box pews and galleries removed, together with a new roof this great restoration cost £1500.
1879-The Vestry was erected. The porch also dates from this year, however it incorporates much of the 15th century stone work.. The roof also includes 15th century carved timbers from the roof of the old south aisle.
1963-the church hall was added.
Note.
Over the inner doorway is positioned a medieval image bracket.