This parish is a Rectory, the Patron is the Crown, at the present represented by Prince Charles as Duke of Cornwall.
The holy well in the churchyard opposite the South Door points to an ancient site of worship.
Many churchyard crosses date from Celtic through to the Saxon period. We do not know the date of the churchyard Cross, the shaft of which is 9 foot in length, and once formed part of the flight of steps leading to the churchyard. It was of the monolith-holed type and part of the head has been broken. This was cleverly repaired at De Lank, and subsequently erected where it is today.
Norman Church
There is evidence of an anchorite’s chamber having been grafted on to the North Wall of the Chancel. Although subsequent repairs have affected the wall, it may be regarded as part of the church built in this period. Of the chamber there is nothing left except the small arch, probably once belonging to a piscine, on the outside wall, and inside can be found a diamond shaped stone pierced with a quatrefoil which served, when open as a squint for the recluse.
15th Century.
It appears that the present east wall was re-built on the old foundation at this time.
The North Aisle with arcade of 4 arches is about 50 years earlier than the South Aisle, which has 5 arches.
The Nave contains several very old and some decayed benches with beautifully carved bench ends. The designs are emblems of the Passion, Sacred monograms and Crowned "M"s.
The waggon roof shows many old bosses.
1903-The east window is of stained glass was erected to the memory of Percy Muir, eldest son of a former owner of Michaelstow House.
Note
By the door can be found two sundials-one of slate and another known as a "Noon-dial" scratched on the wall.
In the churchyard and also in the church are some fine and varied slate memorials. The oldest being to John Brod dated 1577. There is a further slate memorial to Jane Meredith with two women in the pointed bodices and hooped skirts of the 17th century.
Above the River Carmel rises the great ST Osyth Beacon, crowned by an earthwork, which has been here since there were kings and saints in Cornwall. Within its huge circumference stand two arches from a now vanished chapel.