St Enodoc's Church, Trebetherick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Enodoc's Church, Trebetherick |
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 St Enodoc's Church, Trebetherick
Location in Cornwall
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| 50°33′29″N 4°55′17″W / 50.5581°N 4.9215°W | |
| Location | Trebetherick, Cornwall |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | J. P. St Aubyn (minor restoration) |
| Style | Early English |
| Completed | 1864 (restored) |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone rubble with slate roofs |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Truro |
St. Enodoc Church, Trebetherick (also known as St. Guenedoc) is a special old church. It is a chapel in the area of St Minver in Cornwall, England. This church is a Grade I listed building, which means it is a very important historical site.
Contents
The Church in the Sand Dunes
This unique church is found among sand dunes. It sits near Daymer Bay and Brea Hill. These places are by the River Camel estuary, where the river meets the sea. For a long time, from the 1500s to the mid-1800s, the church was almost completely covered by sand.
A Buried Church: "Sinking Neddy"
Because of the shifting sand, the church became known as "Sinking Neddy." To keep its official status, services had to be held there at least once a year. This meant the vicar and people had to go into the church through a hole in the roof! Imagine climbing down into a church!
Unearthing and Restoration
By 1864, the church was finally dug out from the sand. The sand dunes around it were made stable so they would not bury the church again. Today, the church is surrounded by the St Enodoc Golf Club's course.
History of St. Enodoc Church
The church is believed to be built where a holy person named Enodoch once lived. He was a hermit, meaning he lived alone in a cave for religious reasons.
Building Through the Ages
The oldest parts of the church were built around the 1100s. More sections were added in the 1200s and 1400s. By the 1700s, the church started to get buried by sand.
Modern Restoration Efforts
In the 1800s, the sand was removed, and the church was cleaned up. It was also restored under the guidance of Rev. W. Hart Smith. The main architectural work was done in 1863 and 1864 by J. P. St Aubyn. This work helped bring the church back to its former glory.
What the Church Looks Like
The church is made from stone rubble and has slate roofs. It has a main area called a nave and a chancel. There is also a side section called an aisle.
Unique Tower Design
The church has a north transept that leads to its tower. This tower is unusual because it is on the north side of the church. It has two levels and a low, pointed roof called a broach spire. The tower has small openings for bells.
Inside the Church: Fittings and Furniture
Most of the church's furniture was replaced during the 1863-1864 restoration. However, some older pieces remain.
Historical Features Inside
- The base of a rood screen from the 1400s is still there.
- The granite font is very old, dating back to the 1100s. It has a round bowl and a carved base.
- You can find a memorial stone for John Mably, who died in 1687, in the south porch.
- Inside, on the south wall, there is a memorial for Ernest Edward Betjeman, who was the father of the famous poet Sir John Betjeman.
- There is also a memorial for three crew members who were lost when their ship, the Maria Asumpta, sank in 1995.
Outside the Church: Special Features
The churchyard has several interesting things to see.
Graves and Memorials
- There are two headstones and three tomb chests that are also listed as Grade II historic sites.
- The grave of John Betjeman, a famous poet, is in the churchyard.
- The ashes of Fleur Lombard are also buried here. She was the first female firefighter in Britain to die while on duty during peacetime.
Jesus Well and Cornish Cross
- About 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) south of the church is Jesus Well. This is a holy well with a stone wellhouse.
- The wellhouse was rebuilt in the 1800s and fixed up again in the 1900s. It is also a Grade II listed building.
- In the churchyard, there is a Cornish cross. This cross was found built into the churchyard wall in 1863.
St. Enodoc in Books and Poems
St. Enodoc Church has inspired writers and artists.
Featured in Literature
- The poet John Betjeman wrote about the church in his poem Sunday Afternoon Service at St. Enodoc.
- The church is also an important setting in Justin Cartwright's novel The Promise of Happiness (2004).
- In the novel The Last Patriot by Brad Thor, a house called Bishop's Gate is described as looking like St. Enodoc.
