St Just's Church, St Just in Roseland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Just's Church, St Just in Roseland |
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St Just's Church, St Just in Roseland
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| 50°10′55.74″N 5°00′56.47″W / 50.1821500°N 5.0156861°W | |
| Location | St Just in Roseland |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Justinian of Ramsey Island |
| Consecrated | 1216 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Just in Roseland |
| Deanery | Powder |
| Archdeaconry | Cornwall |
| Diocese | Diocese of Truro |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
St Just's Church is a very old and important church located in St Just in Roseland, a beautiful village in Cornwall, England. It's a Grade I listed building, which means it's considered a really special historic place. This church is part of the Church of England and belongs to the Diocese of Truro.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Beginnings
People believe that St Just's Church was first started around the year 550 AD. It was built to honor a saint named St Just the Martyr. For about 400 years, the church was looked after by Celtic clergy, who were early Christian leaders from a nearby religious community called Lanzeague.
Around 950 AD, the church became part of the larger Christian church system, taken over by the Bishops of Cornwall, Crediton, and Exeter. Later, in 1140, a bishop named Robert Warelwast gave the church to the Canons of Plympton Priory. Priories were like monasteries, and the church was then served by their vicars (church leaders).
Becoming a Rector's Church
In 1189, a local lord named John le Sor got the church back from the Priory. From that time on, the church leaders have been called Rectors. A Rector is a type of priest who is in charge of a parish (a local church area).
Building and Changes Over Time
The church building you see today was mostly built in the 13th century. It was officially made a church in 1216 by Simon of Apulia, who was the Bishop of Exeter at the time.
The church was given a big makeover in 1872. It was reopened by the Bishop on November 18, 1872. During this restoration, new pews (church benches) were added, along with a new pulpit (where sermons are given) and a reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar). The floor was also updated with fancy tiles. All the wooden parts were made by local craftspeople, and the stone work was done by masons from Truro.
A new room called the vestry was added to the church in the 20th century.
Church Parishes
St Just's Church is part of a "joint parish." This means it shares its church leadership and some activities with another church nearby. It is joined with:
The Church Organ
The organ is a large musical instrument used in the church. This particular organ wasn't always in St Just's Church. It used to be in St John the Evangelist's Church in Treslothan. It was moved here in 1966 by a company called Hele & Co. Since then, it has been changed and improved by Lance Foy. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register, which is a list of organs in the UK.
Virtual Organ App
In 2018, the sound of the church organ was made into a "Virtual Pipe Organ" app. This app lets you play the organ sounds on your iPhone or iPad. Half of the money made from this app is given to the church to help pay for the organ's upkeep and repairs.
Notable People Connected to the Church
The churchyard is a special place where people are buried. One famous person buried here is Charles Bowen Cooke. He was a very important engineer who designed and built steam locomotives (trains). His grave is in the churchyard.
Images for kids
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A historical list of the Rectors who have served St Just's Church over the centuries.
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The grave of Charles Bowen Cooke, a famous locomotive engineer, in the churchyard.
