St Gothian's Church, Gwithian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Gothian's church, Gwithian |
|
|---|---|
St Gothian's church, Gwithian
|
|
| 50°13′19.15″N 5°23′5.51″W / 50.2219861°N 5.3848639°W | |
| Location | Gwithian |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Gothian or Gwithian |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Gwithian |
| Deanery | Penwith |
| Archdeaconry | Cornwall |
| Diocese | Diocese of Truro |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
St Gothian's Church is an old church located in Gwithian, Cornwall, England. It is a Grade II* listed building, which means it is a very important historical site. The church is part of the Church of England. We don't know much about the person it's named after, Saint Gothian.
Contents
Discovering the Church's History
The original church building dates back to the 13th century, which is over 700 years ago! The tall tower you see today was added later, in the 15th century.
Major Changes in the 1800s
Most of the church was rebuilt between 1865 and 1867. This big project was led by an architect named Edmund Sedding. During this time, parts of the church were removed and new sections were built.
For example, the south aisle (a side part of the church) and its arcade (a row of arches) were taken down. A new south transept (a part that sticks out, making the church look like a cross) was built instead.
Saving Old Church Parts
Even though parts were removed, some old pieces were saved! The decorative parts of the arcade, like the shafts and capitals, were reused. They became part of a new Lych-gate, which is a covered gateway to the churchyard.
The walls of the main part of the church (the nave), the transepts, and a section of the chancel (the area around the altar) were all rebuilt. An old storage cupboard called an aumbry was also fixed up.
New Windows and Art
A special window that had been in the south aisle was moved to a new spot. A brand new window was also added to the south transept.
One window in the south wall received beautiful stained glass. This glass was designed by Edmund Sedding himself and made by Mr. Beer of Exeter. It was created to remember Mr. Drury, a church leader who sadly drowned in 1865.
Restoring the Tower and Roofs
The old entrances to the church were rebuilt. The church tower was also opened up, making its arch visible. The decorative tops of the tower, called pinnacles, were repaired.
The roofs over the nave, transepts, and chancel were all replaced. The chancel roof was made extra special with carvings. These carvings came from timber taken from another church in Phillack, which had been restored a decade earlier. Finally, the reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) was painted by John Sedding, who was the architect's brother.
Churches Working Together
St Gothian's Church is part of a group of churches called the Godrevy team ministry. This means they work together and share resources. Other churches in this group include:
- St Erth's Church, St Erth
- St Elwyn's Church, Hayle
- St Felicitas and St Piala's Church, Phillack
- St Gwinear’s Church, Gwinear
The Church Organ
The church has a musical organ made by a company called Cousans Sons and Co. If you're interested in organs, you can find more details about this specific one on the National Pipe Organ Register.
More to Explore
- St Gwithian's Oratory
