St Senara's Church, Zennor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Saint Senara |
|
|---|---|
St Senara's Church in Zennor
|
|
 Church of Saint Senara
Location in Cornwall
|
|
| 50°11′30″N 5°34′03″W / 50.1918°N 5.5674°W | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Senara |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Zennor |
| Deanery | Penwith |
| Archdeaconry | Cornwall |
| Diocese | Truro |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Senara's Church is a very old and special church located in Zennor Churchtown, Cornwall, England. It is the main church for the village of Zennor. The church is named after a local saint, Saint Senara. It has been a place of worship for at least 1400 years! The building you see today was mostly rebuilt in the 12th century. It is considered a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historical site.
Contents
History of St Senara's Church
A church dedicated to Saint Senara has stood on this spot, looking out over the sea, since at least the 6th century AD. The church building we see now has parts that are from the Norman period (around the 11th and 12th centuries). Other parts were added in the 13th and 15th centuries.
The church has a tall tower on its west side. Inside, you can find an eight-sided font that might be from the 13th century. People believe that Saint Senara herself founded the church. The story says she returned from Ireland with her son, who was a bishop, and together they started the village of Zennor.
The Mermaid Chair
One of the most famous things in the church is the "Mermaid Chair." This chair has a special carving of the Mermaid of Zennor. The mermaid is shown looking at herself in a mirror. The chair also has carvings of fish on its seat. It is thought to be at least 600 years old! This carving is one of only two original carved wooden seat ends left in the church.
Important People and the Churchyard
On the outside wall of the church, near the west entrance, there is a memorial. It remembers John Davy, who passed away in 1891. He was the last person known to speak the Cornish language fluently.
The church is surrounded by a small, round graveyard. This graveyard has been used for burials for hundreds of years. Its boundaries have been there since the Bronze Age, which was thousands of years ago! Famous artists like Bryan Wynter and Patrick Heron are buried here. They lived in Zennor and found ideas for their art from the beautiful landscape around them.
Church Bells
The church tower holds six bells. Four of these bells were made in 1926. They were added to two older bells that were already there from medieval times. Right now, the bells cannot be rung because their frame is rusty. However, in 2019, a project began to fix them. Soon, they will be able to ring again for change-ringing, which is a special way of ringing church bells.
St Senara's Church Today
Saint Senara's Church is still the main church for Zennor. It serves the village, which is sometimes called "Zennor Churchtown" because of the church. The church is used regularly for Sunday services. It also hosts special events like weddings and funerals. The current priest in charge is Revd. Elizabeth Foot.
Images for kids
-
Mermaid chair and altar
-
Mermaid chair
-
Interior
-
Baptismal font
-
Zennor churchyard
-
Stained-glass window depicting Saint Senara and Saint Ia
