Church of Saint Columba
Church of Saint Columba is located in Cornwall
Church of Saint Columba
Church of Saint Columba
Location within Cornwall
50°26′08.5″N 04°56′25.1″W / 50.435694°N 4.940306°W / 50.435694; -4.940306
LocationSt Columb Major
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
WebsiteLannpydar.org.uk
History
DedicationSaint Columba the Virgin
Specifications
Spire height80 feet (24 m)
MaterialsSlatestone rubble with granite dressings
Bells8
Administration
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseTruro
DeaneryPydar
ParishSt Columb Major
Clergy
RectorRevd. Helen Baber
Curate(s)Revd. Tess Lowe
Minister(s)Phil Tremain
Laity
Organist(s)Keith Rusling
Churchwarden(s)Colin Rescorla
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameChurch of St Columba
Designated10 February 1967
Reference no.1144068

St Columba's Church is a 14th-century, Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England Diocese of Truro in St Columb Major, Cornwall.[1] In 1860 plans were drawn up by William Butterfield, in hope of St Columb church becoming the cathedral of the future diocese of Cornwall, but the cathedral was built at Truro.[2] A second church dedicated to the same saint is known as St Columba's Church, St Columb Minor.

History

The current church dates from the 13th to 15th centuries. The font is Norman and there are many good examples of woodcarving in the church: these include the bench ends dated 1510, the rood screen, wagon roofs, and a 19th-century carved wooden pulpit.

In 1676 three youths set fire to a barrel of gunpowder, killing themselves and causing £350 worth of damage to the church. Through public donations and a small parish rate the church was repaired within nine months.[3]

Parish status

The church is in the Lann Pydar[4] joint benefice with:

Organ

The organ dates from 1870 and was built by Bryceson & Ellis of Lincoln. A specification of the organ can be found in the National Pipe Organ Register.[5]

Font

The octagonal stone font in south aisle, of circa 1300 with carved sides, including five men's faces, on stem with clustered outer shafts.[6]

Bells

According to the National Bell register,[7] there are eight bells dating from 1776 to 1950. The earliest bells are by J C & W Pennington of Exeter. (1776). The later ones are by John Taylor & Co, (1950 & 1969). One bell from 1825 is by John Rudhall. The bells were overhauled in 1950 by Loughborough Bellfoundry. The heaviest of the bells is the tenor, which weighs 1404 lb or 637 kg.[8]

Memorials

Some of the more interesting items are some fine monumental brasses and memorials, including:

War memorial

The granite war memorial, erected in 1920, was designed to represent a classic Cornish cross. It names 55 men connected to the parish who lost their lives in the first and second world wars

Other features

Stained glass window at St. Columb Major church (detail)

There is a fine wooden screen by the architect George Fellowes Prynne "St Columb screen". and some exceptional oak benchends, dating as far back as 1510. The fine organ is by Bryceston Bros. & Ellis of London and a copy of the "Letter of Thanks" to the Cornish people sent by Charles I in 1643 (similar copies are found in many Cornish churches). There are also two sculptures by the artist Allan G. Wyon and a stained glass window portraying Saint Columba the Virgin. In the churchyard is St Columba's Cross.

References

  1. Beacham, Peter; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2014). The Buildings of England. Cornwall. Yale University Press. p. 55. ISBN 9780300126686.
  2. "The Gentleman's Magazine 1860, p. 147". Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  3. Gilbert, Davies (1838). The Parochial History of Cornwall, Founded on the Manuscript Histories of Mr Hals and Mr Tonkin; with additions and various appendices. London: J B Nichols and Son. pp. 215–216.
  4. "Home". The Lann Pydar Benefice, Cornwall. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  5. "NPOR [K01270]". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  6. Historic England. "Church of St Columba (1144068)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  7. "A National Bell Register". Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  8. "St Columb Major, Cornwall, S Columba". Doves Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  9. Byrne, Muriel St. Clare, (ed.) The Lisle Letters, 6 vols, University of Chicago Press, Chicago & London, 1981, vol.1, p.307
  10. Dunkin, E. H. W. The Monumental Brasses of Cornwall, 1882
  11. Dunkin, E. (1882) The Monumental Brasses of Cornwall. London, Spottiswoode; pp. 27–31, 75–82, pl. XXVII, LVI, LVII
  12. "Monument to Robert Hoblyn". Royal Society. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  13. The Role of Anti-Catholicism in England in the 1670s
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