Perranuthnoe The Parish Church of St Piran and St Michael |
|
It is probable that St Piran built a tiny church here similar to the one at Perranzabuloe. If so, it must have been buried under the sea long ago, for in his time the sea was about a mile further out to where it is today. It was not the practice in the twelfth century to dedicate churches to Celtic Saints unless one of that dedication already existed in the parish; this fact points to an earlier church here.
1160 �The first church was built on the present site, smaller then the present one, having a squat tower, and a thatch roof. It is possible the priest lived in the upper floor of the tower, as was common custom then. The church itself had a nave with a transept on each side and a chancel to make the form of a cross. The High Altar was dedicated to St Piran and St Michael. The dedication to St Michael was due to the popularity at the time of the cult of St Michael and perhaps also to the proximity of St Michaels Mount. The Altar in the north transept was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and that in the south transept to St Nicholas the Patron Saint of sailors and children (our �Father Christmas� ).
Of this first church, four parts remain. The font with its carvings of palm trees,
The old Norman doorway with its strange heads is the original, and a smaller Norman doorway may be seen outside of the north wall, now blocked up.
The other part of the first church that can still be seen is the archway in the sout transept behind the pulpit and the transept itself.
1277 � In February Master Adam styled Heym, Rector of Menheniot, had a dispensation from Pope John XXI to hold also the churched of Uthnou Parva (Perranuthno) and Southhill (near Callington) notwithstanding the decrees of the Council of Lyons against holding benefices in plurality.
1312 � William de Whalesburgh is mentioned as patron of the living.
1348 � Sir Nicholas Tresuswall (Treluswell near Penryn) was instituted as Rector of St Pieran in Penwythe July 17th. He died within a few months , and it is possible that he and his predecessor were victims of the Black death which raged 1348-49.
1400 � John Andrew a layman had a licence to erect a chapel dedicated to St James in the principal village of the parish, Goldsithney. This Chapel fell into ruins in the 18th century, and has now disappeared. The only surviving relic is the little granite figure of St James the Great, set in the south wall of the church just above the main door.
1427 � Perrns most distinguished Rector was Sir Michael Tregorra, who was instituted on September 21st (he resigned in 1433). He was born at Tregurra St Wenn and was a Fellow of Exeter College Oxford from 1422-27. Sir Michael was the first Rector of the University founded at Caen, in Normandy by Henry VI in 1440, Chaplin to that King, and at length in 1449 Archbishop of Dublin where he died in 1471. His effigy still to be seen in St Patricks Cathedral was restored by Dean Swift.
1470 � The church was to small to cater for the increased population, the north transept was taken down and the north aisle built in its place, thus creating a double nave church. The pointed arches and pillars date from this time. The small Norman door was moved to its present position. The tower was made higher and the four pinnacles were added on the top to make the tower a Landmark for ships entering Mounts bay. The inside walls of the church would be covered with bright pictures of bible scenes and incidents in the life of St Piran, and the windows were filled with stained glass. The rood screen was erected with its stone stairway at each end by which you could climb to the top. These stone stairways still remain; one in the south transept and one behind the organ.
1471 � William de Whalesburgh was patron of the living until this year.
1499 � William Michill was instituted on September 5th of this year the patron being John Trevilian Esq. the patronage continued to be held by the Trevelyan family until they immigrated to Australia when they presented it to the Dean and Chapter of Truro Cathedral.
At the time of the reformation many beautiful things were destroyed , stained glass windows were shattered, pictures teaching the Bible to those who could not read were defaced, screens were removed and font covers thrown away.
1740 � The oak pulpit was added to the church.
1814 � On the north wall hangs an interesting Royal Coat of Arms of George III dated this year.
1913- On the east wall of the tower there is a chiming clock given in memory of Eliza Trevelyan , which was restored by public subscription in 1984.
1926- The chancel screen, choir stalls and reredos were added in memory of Charles Aldington , C.B.E, a former general manager of the Great Western Railway, and the communion rails were placed there in memory of the Rev. Richard Astley and his wife . All are reproductions of fifteen-century work and are very beautiful examples of modern craftsmanship. The figures on the reredos are (from left to right) St Michael, St Mary the Virgin, St John the Evangelist, and St Piran. St Pirans hand is on a mill stone on which according to legend he sailed from Ireland to Cornwall. The centre figure of the reredos shows Christ on the Cross crowned and wearing Eucharistic vestments. One could not claim this as unique, but it is unusual and very beautiful.
1937 � The chapel of St Nicholas, in the south transept, was restored to use in memory of Canon Purves.
1952 � Miss C.C. Astley presented the new font cover to the church. This is also reproduction of 15th century work; on her death she bequeathed a sum of money to the church which still brings a small annual income.
1980 � On the North wall hangs a picture given by Rosemary Ziar of the other legends of St Piran an explanation hangs along side.
The Registers
Baptisms and Burial registers date from 1562: the marriage registers from 1589.