St Tallanus' Church, Talland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Talland Church |
|
|---|---|
Talland Church
|
|
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | https://www.tallandchurch.co.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Tallan |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Talland |
| Deanery | West Wivelshire |
| Archdeaconry | Bodmin |
| Diocese | Truro |
| Province | Canterbury |
Talland Church is a very old and special building located on a cliff-top in Talland, a village near Looe in Cornwall. It is a Grade I listed building, which means it's considered very important for its history and architecture. The church is named after St Tallanus and was built by monks from Launceston.
Contents
Exploring Talland Church
Talland Church has a long and interesting history. It has stood on this spot for many centuries, watching over the coast.
Where the Altar Stands
The main altar inside the church is in the same place where an even older Celtic altar once stood. Some people believe this spot has been important for worship for a very long time. The church celebrated its 500th birthday in 1990, showing just how old it is!
How the Church Was Built
The church you see today has parts that are very old. Some sections of the main hall (called the nave) and the bottom part of the tower probably date back to the 13th century. Most of the rest of the church was built later, in the late 15th century. It was built in a style called Cornish Perpendicular, which was popular at the time.
The Unique Bell-Tower
One unusual thing about Talland Church is its bell-tower. It's not attached to the main church building in the usual way. Instead, it stands separately on the south side. It was only connected to the rest of the church in the 15th century.
Stories from Inside the Church
Inside Talland Church, you can find many interesting historical features.
The Mystery of Robert Mark
There is a headstone inside the church for a person named Robert Mark. No one is completely sure who he was! Some stories say he was a smuggler from Polperro who was shot at sea in 1802. Other stories suggest he was a tax collector who died while on duty. His headstone has a sad poem that reads: "In prime of life, most suddenly, Sad tidings to relate, Here view my utter destiny, And pity my sad state. I by a shot which rapid flew, Was instantly struck dead."
Old Woodwork and Benches
The church also has beautiful old wooden ceilings, known as wagon roofs. You can also see many old wooden bench ends, some from around 1520 and others from around 1600. These are typical of Cornish churches and are very well-made examples of old craftsmanship.
