From the Royal Cornwall Gazette, Friday 16th May 1862, page 4.
After very extensive restorations, which might almost be called a re-building, Kenwyn church is opened for Divine Service to-day. In general, we should content ourselves with describing the character of the building, and the details of the ceremonial, but the circumstances of the parish are of so much interest to all churchmen, that we shall preface our account with a general history.
The united parish of Kenwyn and Kea is bounded on the East by the little river Allen, and thence by Truro River, through Malpas, Tregothnan, and Tolvern Reaches, as far as Cownance Creek; on the North, by a line over the high ground along the centre of the County, from the Allen two miles above Truro, by the Four Barrows, to a point near Scorrier Gate, where the four Western Hundreds meet, namely, Kenwyn, in the Hundred and Deanery of Powder, St. Agnes, in Pydar, Redruth, in Penwith, and Gwennap in Kirrier; on the West, by the valley from Scorrier to Higher Carnon; and on the South by a line from Higher Carnon over Carnon Downs to Cownance Creek. It has the parishes of St. Clements on the East, St. Allen, Perranzabuloe, and St. Agnes on the North, Gwennap on the West, and Feock on the South. The united parishes contain, according to Gilbert, 15,937 acres but by the Diocesan Calendar, 15,476. The population by the last Census was 10,708 for Kenwyn, and 3,950 for Kea; an increase in ten years of 931 for the former, and 198 for the latter. In 1801, Kenwyn had 4,017, and Kea 2,440.
At the former date, the parishes through the chief part of their extent were mostly waste downs, except in the neighbourhood of Truro and the River. Hence probably, the situation of the two parish churches, at the very extremity of their parishes, Kenwyn on an eminence above the Allen, nearly seven miles, and Kea on the shore oppposite Tregothnan, six miles from their western borders. As the progress of Copper Mining brought a considerable and increasing population, especially at the extreme West of the united parish at and around Chacewater, the necessity was felt of providing for it, and in 1802 the work of church extension and improvement was commenced by taking down the parish church of Kea, and rebuilding it in the centre of the parish. At this time the obvious suggestion would be to build an additional church; but then the Law threw almost insuperable obstacles in the way. Judging from the tower, which was allowed to stand, and remains a striking ornament to Truro River, the old church must have been a beautiful specimen of ecclesiastical architecture, but the new one illustrates the taste and knowledge of that period, and its only merit is, that its workmanship and materials were worthy of the plan, and ensured the necessity of rebuilding at no distant period. Kenwyn church was rebuilt, or restored in 1822, when the same principles of bad taste and false economy prevailed, so that it has lasted only 40 years. In 1818 the critical state of the Country compelled the Legislature to remove the obstacles to churchbuilding, and to vote first a million, and afterwards an additional half-million, for new churches. Among the neighbourhoods selected was the mining district at the West extremity of Kenwyn and Kea, and in 1824 a very large district church was built at Chacewater and endowed at the cost of the vicar, in whom the patronage was vested. Of its architecture, nothing need be said. Twenty years later, the large chapel of ease of St. John’s in Kenwyn, was built at the Western entrance of Truro, having the whole floor in free seats, and only the galleries pewed. The present Bishop of Fredericton was the first Minister. When the Peel districts were constituted, one was formed out of Kea, between the parish church and Chacewater, and the other out of the Kenwyn part of the town of Truro. The first, Baldhu, was consecrated in 1848; the second, St. George’s, in 1855. Baldhu, with its schools and parsonage, was built chiefly by the munificence of the late George Henry Earl of Falmouth, who being the lay impropriator of the great tithes of Kenwyn and Kea, rightly felt the responsibility which attaches to the possession of property consecrated to God for His service. The same munificent benefactor provided the National Schools at Chacewater, and the parsonage at Kea. St. George’s church, with its parsonage and very beautiful school buildings, was raised through the great extertions of the present incumbent, the Rev. P.E. Wrench. Besides these six large churches, two mission school chapels have been recently provided, one, a little architectural gem on the site of the removed Kea church, built through the exertions of the curate, the Rev. W.J. Murray; the other on the outlying manor of Tregavethan in Kenwyn, provided by the liberality of the lord of the manor, J. Ennis Vivian, Esq., for many years M.P. for Truro.
Schools have kept pace with church-building. The earliest schools in the county on Bell’s plan, and which were built before the National Society was chartered, were the Cornwall Central Schools, in Fairmantle Street, in Kenwyn. These remained for very many years the only National Schools in Truro; and the Girls’ School was made the Diocesan Training School for Mistresses, until the erection of the new building. The Bishop of Fredericton, while Curate of St. John’s, built a large infant and Sunday school, of good ecclesiastical character, opposite his church. Besides these, there are schools for boys and girls in connection with the churches of Chacewater and St. George’s, and mixed schools at Kenwyn, at Kea, at Baldhu, at Old Kea, and at Tregavethan, with a cottage dame’s school under the clergyman of Kea.
The quickened zeal and better taste which afterwards prevailed in church building was felt at Kenwyn, and under the auspices of the late Vicar and the present churchwardens great improvements were made. The square pews of all sizes were swept away, and replaced with low and open seats; a good organ was provided, the two East windows were filled with stained glass, a small but well executed memorial window was set up in memory of the previous vicar, the Rev. G.J. Cornish, and the North Transept was rebuilt by J.E. Vivian, Esq., as owner of the manor of Tregavethan, to which that Transept belongs. But no partial improvements could provide for the unsubstantial and inferior work of the restoration of 1822, and a general restoration became a question not merely of a wise economy, but of necessity. The vicar, the Rev. R. Vautier, and the churchwardens, Mr. E.T. Carlyon and Mr. Tippet, appealed to the public; the parishioners granted a liberal churchrate in aid of the work, and Mr. St. Aubyn, so well known and so highly regarded as a church architect, furnished the plans which have now been carried out.
If the work had not previously been resolved on, accident would have compelled to decision. In the fatal thunderstorm of December 1860, the tower was struck with lightning, and the heavy stones forming a pinnacle and part of the parapet were cast violently on the roof, breaking through it in many places. Such an accident may be repaired where the building is sound; but a worn-out edifice does not bear rents and patching, and it was at the time a subject of satisfaction that a general restoration had been already provided for.
The nave and chancel are 76 feet 9 inches in length, and 15 ft. 9 inches wide, the South aisle is 74 feet long, and 12 feet wide, with North and South transepts, and a South porch. An arcade of seven arches divides the nave and South aisle.
The height of the walls, previous to the present alterations, was 14 feet 7 inches, and the ceilings, which were plastered, and slightly coved, only 18 feet 9 inches in the clear. At the east end of the chancel and aisle, were 3-light perpendicular windows, of later date than the church. The remainder of the windows, of which there were 8, in the North and South walls, are of 3 lights, and partake somewhat of a geometrical character, and were probably copied from an example in the church, which stood previous to the re-erection, in 1822. At the west end of the south aisle, there was a small 2-light window, with painted glass, a memorial to the late Rev. G.J. Cornish. This window has been removed to the north east end of the chancel, and the 3-light window from the east end of the aisle inserted in its place, the east window taking the former position of that last named.
The principal alterations that have been made, consist of entire new roofs to all the building, excepting the north transept and porch—of framed rafters and carved braces of the type common in most of the Churches in the West of the early part of the 16th century.
These roofs, with the additional foot added to the walls, increased the height of the church to 26 feet. The chancel has been lengthened 6 feet 9 inches, and buttressed at the angles, and the incongruous pinnacles on the side buttresses removed and capped with stepped weatherings.
The South Transept has been considerably shortened, and appropriated to the organ only.
New windows have been inserted into the east end of the chancel, and the south end of the transept; two windows have also been inserted in the north side of the chancel, that nearest the east, being a memorial to the late W.M. Tweedy, Esq. The east window is of five lights, and the transept window of four—all of geometrical character. The chancel has been laid with encaustic tiles, and the remainder of the church with black and red Staffordshire tiles.
The windows have been reglazed with cathedral glass.
A few additional benches have been added at the west-end, but in other respects the seating of the church has not been interfered with.
The tower struck by lightning in 1860, has had the damaged pinnacle rebuilt, and the others, together with the parapets, repaired. This part of the church calls for further repairs, particularly in the roof, floors, and bell framing.
The tower walls require pointing, which has been done to the rest of the church.
The organ has undergone extensive alterations, by Grover, of Kingsland Road, London. It is widened, and the machinery is distributed right and left, shewing the new transept window through the upper part of the instrument. A large new bellows has been provided, and a new pedal organ of 2½ octaves of CCC open diapason pipes. The instrument has at present 19 useful stops of the usual description, and it is contemplated to add a new swell organ of 12 stops from CC to F.
The new memorial window to the late W. Mansel Tweedy, Esq., of Truro, presented by his widow, is a three-light decorated window, representing our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, illustrating the text “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord,” the lamented gentleman whom it commemorates having died on Palm Sunday. The centre light is occupied by the principal group, our Lord himself seated on the ass, the apostles and children crying “Hosanna!” the side lights by groups of figures spreading their garments in the way and carrying palm branches; the whole surmounted by simple canopies; on the base of the side lights are panels with crown and palms, and in the centre the crest of the donor. The tracery is filled with Gresaille glass, harmonizing with the ornamental portion of the lower lights. The figures are well designed and grouped, and the colouring is rich. The memorial window to the late vicar, removed from the west end of the south aisle to the chancel, is seen to much better effect in its new situation, and the subject of the two lights, Christ’s charge to Peter “Feed my sheep,” and “Feed my lambs,” represented in two groups, is appropriate to its place beside the altar.
Entering the church from the door under the tower, the great improvement in the present building is seen to advantage. The north east window over the altar has a fine effect; the altar itself raised on four steps, is presented with the importance due to the chief feature of the church, and the seat of the chief solemnity of christian worship. Within and without, the work presents the substantial and finished appearance which should always be the character of a church inherited from our forefathers, ages long past, and to be the inheritance of our children’s children for centuries yet to come. We may forgive the slovenly and false economy of the builders of 1822, since it has thrown the duty upon a time when churchbuilding is understood, and upon parish authorities so zealous and so competent.
At the opening service this morning, a procession was formed from the Vicarage to the Church, the Churchwardens leading with their wands, supported by members of the Committee, and other laymen, preceding the clergy in their surplices and gowns. As the procession entered the Church, the organ played the Hallelujah Chorus. The prayers were read by the Rev. R. Vautier, vicar, and the Rev. G.L. Woollcombe, curate. The lessons for the day, most appropriate to such an occasion, were read, the first by the Rev. A. Tatham, the second by the Rev. C. D. Newman, formerly curate of Kenwyn. The Venite and Psalms were sung to a single Anglican chant, as well as the Te Deum, and Jubilate. At the end of the third Collect, Croft’s Anthem, Psalm ⅹⅼⅶ., v. 5, 6, 7, was very effectively sung—
“God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.
“O sing praises, sing praises unto our God; O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
“For God is King of all the earth; sing ye praises with understanding. Amen.”
Before the Communion, an Anthem by E.G. Hopkins, from 1 Kings, ⅷ., 28, 29, was sung as an Introit:—
“Hear the voice and prayer of Thy servants, which they make before Thee this day; that Thine eyes may be open towards this house day and night, even towards the place of which thou has said, My name shall be there, and when Thou hearest, have mercy upon them.”
The Altar service was taken by the Chancellor of the Diocese, the Venerable W.J. Phillpotts; the Vicar reading the Epistle; and the Rural Dean, Rev. G. Morris, vicar of St. Allen, the Gospel. Before the Sermon, the Pastoral Symphony from the Messiah was played. The Chancellor of the Diocese preached an admirable Sermon from Malachi 1, 8 v., plain, practical, and effective. The Sermon ended, the Vicar read the Offertory Sentences, while the Churchwardens collected the offertory; and after the Prayer for the Church Militant, those of the congregation who did not communicate were dismissed. The Holy Communion was then administered by the Chancellor, the Rural Dean, the Vicar, and Curate.
The collection at the Offertory amounted to £47 17s.
There will be Service in the Evening at half-past 6, when the Rev. A. Tatham will preach; and also opening Services on Sunday.
We can give only a very brief notice of this morning’s service, and must defer the account of the Sermon, and the names of the clergy present, of whom there were more than thirty, until we notice the other Services in our next.
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