The word Tywardreath, comes from the Celtic "Tiwardria" meaning "the house on the sand." It is mentioned in the Exeter Domesday Book of A.D 1085. The manor of Tiwardria was held by Colo, and was given by the Earl of Mortain, William the Conqueror’s half brother, to Richard Dapier, his steward.
1347-The original church was consecrated by David Mageraghty, Archbishop of Armagh, who died the same year. The dedication was to St Andrew, and the patronage was in the hands of Tywardreath priory. As far as it can be ascertained the original church was cruciform in shape. The altar stone probably comes from this church the consecration crosses ocupy an area of only 15 inches by 20 inches.
1480- with the growth of population further seating was necessary resulting in a major reconstruction in this year. The present granite pillars were erected. The east widow in the south aisle has the St Andrews cross, and the Fleur de Lys, showing the association with the Priory.
16th Century- Old bench ends of this period can be found built into the pulpit. Some were framed in the seat ends of the North transept. Also in the North transept is the tombstone of the last prior of Tywardreath priory Thomas Collyns.
1798-Further restoration was undertaken, when £135 was spent on the tower. Local gentry subscribed £45, and the balance came from rates, and a loan of £70 from Charles Rashleigh Esq.
1861- Population increased from 727 in 1801 to 3379 in this year seating again had to be improved, this was done at a cost of £56, timber in the gallery was renewed, and probably it was at this time the Rood Screen was removed.
1880-Extensive restoration had become necessary, and as a result the church suffered greatly from Victorian enthusiasm.
1968-A Lady Chapel was put in the South Aisle, the bench ends from the superfluous seats were retained. They had been carved by Harry Hems of Exeter in 1880, and showed the arms of the Rashleigh family.
Note.
Those who are interested in Daphne Du Maurier’s books should visit the Lady Chapel, where memorials to members of the Harris family recall "The Kings General" and the days of the Civil War. The final battle of the Western campaign was fought at Castledore, on the edge of the parish. One of her other books "The House on the Strand" centres around this church and Kilmarth, the fine old house that became Daphne’s home after leaving Menabilly which had been her home for 20 Years.
One of the more famous vicars of this parish was Charles Lyne, who by his enterprise and acumen was responsible for the erection of the National Schools, now known as St Andrews hall. This was an unusually substantial building for a village, and it showed his desire to give a good education in decent surroundings to the children of the working classes.