Dedicated to the first Bishop of Cork (A.D. 613-630) St Finn Barr. ST Fimbarrus being the Latin
form.
On a pilgrimage to Rome possibly for his consecration St Finn Barr crossed the sae following the old trade and pilgrim route to Padstow, overland to Fowey and from here to Brittany and Rome. During his stay in Fowey he built a little church in a sheltered place between the hills. St Finn Barr's church replaced an earlier one, that of St Goran (or Guron) who probably left his cell at Bodmin when St Petroc arrived, established a church at Fowey and finally settled at Goran (Celtic Christianity was an influence in Cornwall long before the Roman missionaries arrived in Britain in A.D. 597).
1150-A Norman church was built on the site at this stage the church at Fowey was served by Benedictine monks from Tywardreath Priory. The Font is all that remains of this earlier church made of elvan quarried near Padstow. The uncarved portion is thought to be unfinished because the carver died..
1260-A resident vicar was appointed.
It is possible that the church was destroyed by pirates.
1328-The church was rebuilt.
1336-The church was dedicated by the Bishop of Exeter to St Nicholas Bari patron Saint of sailors, but the new name failed to replace that of St Finn Barr.
1456-In reprisal for raids on the French coast by Fowey seaman the town was attaked by the French they set fire to the church which was partially destroyed. They were repulsed at "Place" the neighbouring Great House by Elizabeth Treffry who is reputed to have had molten lead poured on the attackers.
1460-The work of restoration began in this year with the help of the Earl of Warwick (Lord High Admiral of England. )
The work of restoration lasted till the next century. The tower , wagon roof , rood screen and loft (reached by the stone stairway which can be seen in the north chancel wall it passage through the south chancel wall can be seen above the Goodall Memorial ) date from this period. Warwick's badge (the ragged staff) can be seen on the second string course of the tower.
1500-approx The Treffry brothers undertook to widen the narrow south aisle and extend it to make a family chapel and clerestory windows unusual for Cornwall were constructed.
15th Century
The brasses found on the east window ledge are of the Treffrey family Thomas (the Elder) his wife Avisie, son Thomas and his wife Elizabeth (the defender of Place in 1456).
1601-The Pulpit made from the panelling of the captains cabin of a Spanish Galleon it formed part of a double-deck pulpit which stood against the first pillar of the nave on the south side.
1602-This is the date of the two brasses connected with the Rashleigh family found near the pulpit.
1643-Over the south door a letter of thanks from Charles I to the people of Cornwall.
1876-An important restoration took place removing the western gallery, providing a new roof for the north aisle, a clergy vestry, choir stalls, as well as pews for the congregation.
1894-A choir vestry was added.
1899-Kenneth Graham of "Wind in the Willows" fame was married here.
1907-The screen was erected in memory of Canon Purcell who was vicar of Fowey for over 50 years.
1947-The wooden reredos and panelling were constructed in memory of Colonel Edward Treffry and the Rev & Mrs F H Treffry. The chancel was paved at the same time with Cornish slate slabs.
1970-The tablets containing the Creed and Ten Commandments were erected in memory of Canon W R Guest and other friends.
Note
Near the choir vestry door is a tablet carved by Neville Burnard the famous Cornish Sculptor. On the pew ledge near the second pillar on the south side, there is a interesting memorial to Sir Arthur and Lady Quiller-Couch who lived at "The Haven" on the esplanade. They wrote "Troy Town" a story of Fowey written in the 1880's.