A copy of this item is in the custody of Cornwall Record Office, ref. AD1604/65. It is not to be reproduced in any format without permission from Cornwall Record Office.
Guide to the church, written in 1971.
The Patron Saint of Kenwyn is St. Keyne, who travelled and worked in Cornwall, dying about 500 A.D. Her Day is October 8th.
The Church was dedicated on September 27th, 1259 by Walter de Bronescombe, Bishop of Exeter. This was a rededication of a newly built, or repaired church, on the ancient Holy Place associated with St. Keyne.
The only relics from the earlier days are the Well, of great antiquity, perhaps going back to St. Keyne, and the 12th century corbel head built into the exterior south wall just west of the south porch.
In 1819 the building had become unsafe for public use, and inspired by the Curate, Richard Polwhele, the church was repaired and rebuilt, reopening on October 8th, 1820. The second major work resulted from serious damage from lightning early on December 20th, 1860. Under the direction of J.P. St. Aubyn, the architect, there was some rebuilding and a typical Victorian “restoration”. Oak pews and the oak waggon roof were removed to be replaced by pitch pine.
The oldest parts of the building are the fine three stage tower in Perpendicular style, begun perhaps in the 14th and completed in the 15th century. The seven arched arcade, the transept arches, of St. Stephen granite, are typical 15th century work, as is also the south porch doorway. Fragments of old stone work remain in the window frames of the north side of the nave. The south aisle was added about 1460. The capitals of the north transept arch are sculptured with the figures of an angel with shield, and a bishop with staff and right hand raised in blessing, signifying blessing and protection for donor and worshippers.
The north transept has been known as the Tregavethan Aisle since John Lagherne, Lord of Tregavethan Manor, in 1590 offered to repair the transept, provided it was appropriated to the use of his family. As late as 1884, Major Vivian claimed the Aisle as his private property, but his successor H.H. Vivian claimed merely right to a sitting, and entry via the north door of the transept. The Tregavethan Estate continued to accept responsibility for insurance and repair of the Aisle for many years, until solicitors acting for new owners, in 1965 relinquished all rights and repudiated any liabilities.
The fine oak choir pews were installed in 1960 from a bequest by the late Major Arthur Gill, and a new floor raised 6 inches above the old level was laid, replacing the shiny tiles of the 1860–61 restoration. The nave pews date from 1964, paid for by subscriptions from the congregation.
The Childrens’ Corner was provided by churchmembers in memory of children, and was dedicated by Archdeacon Hockley in June 1948.
The Clergy/Choir vestry was built in 1892 from a fund subscribed as a tribute to the Vicar of the time, J.R. Cornish, who had also been Archdeacon and Bishop of St. Germans.
An inventory of 1549 states “Item: iij bellys waying mo mo li”, three bells weighing 2,000 lbs. The 1765 terrier mentions 8 bells, though Wardens’ accounts for 1788–90 speak of but 5. In 1905 the bells needed recasting, the oldest bells at the time bearing the dates 1747 and 1788. The cost was borne by Sir Robert Harvey, High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1901–02, in memory of Lady Harvey and other members of the family.
The first pipe organ was installed in 1848 built by Holditch. Prior to that, singing had been led by Barrel Organ introduced in 1824, or by orchestra. In 1862, the organ was given a second manual, and in 1866 was further enlarged. In 1894, it was rebuilt, and moved from the south transept to the east end of the south aisle. The present organ dates from 1935, when it was extensively modernised and enlarged to three manuals. Major Gill gave this, paying also for the new organ chamber, in memory of his father, William Nicholas, Reader for 34 years and Warden for 23, and of his mother, Ada. The console is detached, being located on the south side of the chancel. Hele and Co., of Plymouth were the builders of the 1935 organ.
The great East window commemorates Dr. Clement Carlyon and members of his family. Clement was five times Mayor of Truro in the years 1824–47. One of his daughters, Elizabeth, married E.H. Browne, Vicar of Kenwyn from 1850–57, who later became Bishop of Ely and of Winchester. The Carlyon family moved to Truro from Plymouth in the late 18th century, and have taken a leading part in civic affairs ever since. The Parish was honoured to have its Treasurer, Edward Trewbody Carlyon, elected Mayor 1970–71. This East window shows seven scenes from the Life of Christ, the central panel being of the Ascension. It is by Gibbs, of Bedford Square.
The east window in the south aisle, portrays the three Saints who witnessed the Transfiguration, St. Peter being indicated by the Keys, St. John by the Chalice with dragon emerging, and St. James by the Staff. When the organ was dismantled in 1934, the space under this window was utilised for a Chapel of the Transfiguration, Bishop Frere dedicating the Chapel and Altar. (Now placed in the Tregavethan Aisle).
On the north side of the chancel, a window in memory of G.J. Cornish depicts two charges of Christ to Peter, and on the south side, the window is of the Madonna and Child, in memory of Bishop J.R. Cornish and his wife Constance Eliza.
The two windows in the Choir picture the incident of Luke chapter 7., in which Magdalene’s tears washed Christ’s feet, to be dried with locks of her hair, and illustrate Psalm 23. The windows here are in memory of John Tippett, Churchwarden, and of Joel and Elizabeth Blamey.
The south transept possesses two windows. On the north side is a pleasing picture of St. Luke, given in memory of Charles Burgess, a clergyman who retired to the Parish and acted as Honorary Curate. The likeness of the face of St. Luke was taken from a portrait of Mr. Burgess and is said to be exactly like him! On the south side is a window in memory of William Mansel Tweedy who died on Palm Sunday 1859. The scenes depicted are appropriately of the Palm Sunday ride of Jesus into Jerusalem. This window was moved to its present position from the chancel to make way for the new organ chamber in 1935.
The north transept window is of the Good Shepherd, placed in memory of John Ennis Vivian, at one time M.P. for Truro, and of Major Quintus Vivian, both of Tregavethan Manor.
The Tower window is in memory of George James Cornish, Vicar of Kenwyn 1828–49, and friend of Keble. It was fitted in 1850. At the same time, the Tower arch was opened up by removing the Singers’ Gallery which had stood at the rear of the church, raised on pillars. This pretty window bears the Coats of Arms of Vicars Trist, 1776, Milles, 1781, Cornish, 1828, Browne, 1850, Vautier, 1857 and of Polwhele, Curate 1806–21 and Edward Trewbody Carlyon, Warden at the time.
The Tapestry, framed and hung in the Choir, is inspired by Leonardo’s “The Last Supper”. It was worked by Lady Griffies Williams, wife of the Rev. Sir Erasmus Griffies Williams, Chancellor of St. David’s Cathedral in the 19th century, and was presented to Kenwyn in 1938 by her great grand-daughter Miss A.E. Noon, a former Churchwarden of Kenwyn.
The Clock was given in 1905 by Alderman T.L. Dorrington, J.P. Made by Smith and Sons of Derby, it was overhauled by them in 1970, and the clock face given a new look.
A copy of the “Letter of Thanks”, written by King Charles Ⅰ in 1643 from his camp at Sudeley Castle to the “faithful County” for support during the Civil War, hangs in the ringing chamber of the tower.
The Schoolroom over the Lych Gate is probably the building referred to in the Chantry Certificate of 1549, and called “the Church Howse”. Until 1880 it was still in use as a Church Day School with 20 to 30 pupils, presided over by one schoolmistress. The children sat upon narrow forms without backrests or desks, holding slates and books in their hands. In 1965, the Schoolroom was extended at a cost of £1,615, being met from a legacy from Major Arthur Gill. The corner stone in the south east angle is a moulded 15th century pillar stone.
On the spot where once may have stood an ancient Churchyard Cross, there is a fine Cross of Pentewan stone erected in memory of George James Cornish. St. Keyne’s well is nearby.
The task of caring for the 13 or so acres of churchyard had outgrown the resources of the Parish, and in January 1968, Truro City Council agreed to maintain it, except for the newest part. The Church Council is most grateful for this generous assistance.
The serious burglary of December 20th, 1970 resulted in the loss of two of the oldest items, but the 11½ inches tall silver flagon of 1710 was recovered and is kept at the bank.
G.M.C.
1971.
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