Forrabury and Minster parish churches facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Materiana's Church, Minster / St Symphorian's Church, Forrabury |
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St Merteriana's Church (Minster)
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Materiana / Saint Symphorian |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Forrabury and Minster |
| Deanery | Trigg Minor |
| Archdeaconry | Bodmin |
| Diocese | Truro |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Forrabury and Minster parish churches are two old churches located near Boscastle in Cornwall, England. These churches belong to an area called the Forrabury and Minster parish. This parish was formed in 1919 when two smaller areas joined together.
The churches were built a long time ago, even before the village of Boscastle became well-known. This happened during Norman times, which was when a castle was first built in the area.
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Minster Church: A Historic Place
Minster Church is dedicated to Materiana of Cornwall, a local saint. It sits hidden among the trees in the valley of the River Valency. This church is about half a mile east of Boscastle.
Building History of Minster Church
Minster Church was first built during the Norman period. This means it is very old, dating back hundreds of years. Some parts were added later in the Middle Ages. The church also had some repair work done in the 1800s. It is considered a Grade I listed building, which means it is a very important historic site.
The original name for Minster was Talkarn. It was renamed Minster in Anglo-Saxon times because a monastery used to be on this spot. Before the Reformation, a special tomb for St Materiana was kept inside the church.
Minster Church and the 2004 Flood
Minster Church was damaged during the big Boscastle flood of 2004. This flood happened in August 2004. The water ruined the pews, the electric organ, and many other things inside the church.
After the flood, in the following year, archaeologists studied the church. They wanted to learn more about its long history. This helped them understand how the building changed over time.
Minster Church: Home to Rare Bats
Minster Church is also a special place for nature. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This is because it is home to a large group of greater horseshoe bats. These bats are a rare and endangered species.
The church has the biggest known maternity roost for these bats in Cornwall. It is also one of the largest in the entire UK. This means many mother bats come here to have their babies.
Forrabury Church: Stories and Bells
Forrabury Church also has some parts that date back to Norman times. The church tower, however, was added much later, in 1750. This church is a Grade II* listed building, meaning it is also very important historically.
The Legend of the Bells of Forrabury
A famous poem called "The Bells of Forrabury" was written by Rev Robert Stephen Hawker. This poem tells a local legend about why the church tower has no bells. The story says that the best bells in the country were being brought from Spain for Forrabury.
The bells were on a boat with a Spanish captain and a local fisherman. As they sailed past Tintagel on a Sunday, they heard the church bells ringing. The fisherman knelt and thanked God for their safe journey. But the Spanish captain laughed at him. The legend says that at that moment, a huge wave crashed over the boat. The boat and the bells were destroyed. The fisherman made it to the rocks safely, but the captain did not. People say that the ghost bells of the ship still haunt the area today.
Features of Forrabury Church
Inside Forrabury Church, there is a pipe organ with two keyboards. Outside the churchyard, you can see a Cornish cross. This old stone cross was moved from its original spot. It was probably once located near a field called Cross Park.
Waterpit Down Cross
At Waterpit Down, which is in Minster parish, you can find the remains of another old cross. This cross is likely from the 10th century, making it over 1000 years old. It is located on the road that leads towards Launceston.
Images for kids
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St Merteriana's Church (Minster)
