The Baptistry and Chapel of St Levan.
The Holy Well of St Levan and the Baptistery lie beside the footpath leading to Porth Chapel Beach. They are connected to the small Chapel on the cliff edge further down by a flight of about fifty stone steps. The existence of these steps had been known for many years, but they were uncovered as a result of excavations in 1931 by the Reverend H T Valantine and Dr Vernon Favell. Water from the Holy well was used in the parish for Baptisms, and is still used on occasion at the present day.
The St Levan Stone.
On the south side of the church near the porch is the rock known as St Levan's Stone. It is broken in two, and it was said that St Levan sat upon this rock when tired from fishing, Wishing to leave a memento of himself in connection with his rude but favourite seat, one day he gave it a blow with his staff and cracked it through. He prayed over the rock and uttered the following prophecy.
In pre-Christian times the stone was evidently venerated as a Holy Rock, since it has never been removed, nor has any attempt been made to destroy it.
The Crosses
There were at one time at least six granite crosses of a Celtic pattern which marked the paths radiating the Church to outlying hamlets and farms. The finest specimen, which was 6' 11" high, stands in the churchyard to the right of the path leading to the south porch. It may well be in its original position, as the churchyard is the site of an ancient enclosure. A second cross is to be found in the churchyard wall, beside the entrance stile at the north east corner.
The Parish.
For civil purposes St Levan was always a separate parish, but from the Norman Conquest until 1864 it was, with its neighbour Sennon, a mere chapelry of the Royal Peculiar, the Deanery of St Buryan. Upon the death of the Reverend H.F.Stanhope, the last non-resident Deanery of St Buryan, the Deanery was abolished by Act of Parliament, and St Levan became a separate parish. It now forms part of the united benefice with St Buryan.
Excavations carried out in the parish reveal that it has been inhabited from as early as 2500 B.C and at least 1832, the Church and Churchyard formed part of a small hamlet which included an Inn, which itself may well have stood on church property.
Almost certainly the present church stands on the site of the shrine to St Levan.
1100-1130 The font in the south aisle is of transitional Norman, and may of been used in an earlier church. The large bowl has a lower burden of cable work, and the upper border of chip carved crosses and four flat motives of stars and circles.
The arch from the porch into the church is Norman.
13th Century- The north transept. (although over restored in Victorian times) still stands intact with its early lancet windows.
15th Century.
Nave South Aisle, Porch Although built in the 15th century contains a Holy Water stoup of a much earlier age, probably 13th century.
Tower is of two stages and unbuttressed. It appears to be older than the other 15th century work in the church.
Traces of the original timbers with gilding and colours are still to be found in the roof.
Tudor
Although the Rood Screen does not survive in its original Tudor form, four out of the five bays of the chancel screen remain. The base of the screen is carved with shields bearing initials and symbols of the passion. J D Sedding writing in1909 about the screen says: "Each bay is divided into three compartments, and almost the whole of the surfice is strewn with carvings even to the styles, the frames and the transoms.
The carver finished the tracery with beasts heads. Griffins, snakes and cordage intertwined with the foliage-Celtic to the core, as all Cornish work is, with its serpent device.
18th Century
The undated sundial on the external South Wall of the porch.
The Bench Ends
(1) Depicting two fish apparently on the hook recalling the legends of St Levan.
(2) A pilgrim possibly St James with scallop shell badge, breviary with discipline.
(3) Profiles of medieval parishioners.
Others of the early date and some of a modern date.