Dedicated to St Tewinnoc "Winnock" or "Gwynog", of royal British Blood. At some time it was known as the chapel of St Ewin, and was administered from the nearby parish Lelant.
Norman.
Ancient altar stone six foot long with five crosses on, having been disposed of, probably during the reformation, discovered forming part of a wall at Churchtown Farm.
There can also be found Norman masonry in one of the walls of the nave.
The chancel arch is work of 13th century builders.
The porch is medieval, in which a curious stone bench can be found made from the shaft of an ancient cross.
The church walls are of great blocks of granite, and the low massive tower built in the 14th century, makes it look rather like a fortress.
"There is an old legend that, when the masons were building the tower of this church, the devil came every night and carried off the pinnacles and battlements. again and again this work was renewed during the day, and as often was removed during the night , until at length, the builders gave up work in despair."
Associated with this tower is the proverb "there are no cuckolds in Towednack, because there are no horns on the church tower".
15th Century-arches of the nave are impressive on pillars of single stones five feet high.
Note.
Sadly lost two bench ends from about 1633, with the names of Wardens Matthew Trenwith and James Trewhella carved upon them. they showed the broad brimmed hats they worn in this period of history.
It is an unpleasant and probably erroneous tradition that the bodies in Towednack churchyard, which is very small, after having lain there for 20 years, were disinterred to make way for fresh burials, and stowed away in a charnel-house.
The church has the distinction of being the first in modern times to hold a service in the Cornish language (1933), and in 1975 was used for the marriage and burial services in the TV series "Poldark", and again in 1979 in the film "Penmarric".