St Winnow's Church, St Winnow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Winnow's Church, St Winnow |
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St Winnow's Church, St Winnow
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 St Winnow's Church, St Winnow
Location in Cornwall
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| 50°26′56″N 04°39′07″W / 50.44889°N 4.65194°W | |
| Location | St Winnow, Cornwall |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Winnoc or Saint Winwaloe |
| Specifications | |
| Spire height | 95 feet (29 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Saint Winnow with St Nectan’s Chapel |
| Deanery | Trigg Minor and Bodmin |
| Archdeaconry | Bodmin |
| Diocese | Truro |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Winnow's Church is an old church in the village of St Winnow, Cornwall, England. It is part of the Church of England. This church is very important because it is a Grade I listed building. This means it is considered to be of exceptional historical and architectural interest.
Contents
History of St Winnow's Church
The church was likely built where a small prayer house, called an oratory, stood in the 7th century. This first building was probably used by Saint Winnoc.
Building the Stone Church
Around the 12th century, a stone church was built. It was probably shaped like a cross. You can still see parts of this old Norman stonework on the north side of the church. In the 13th century, a part of the church called the transept arch was rebuilt.
Later, around 1465, the south wall of the church was taken down. A new part, called the south aisle, was added. This new section included an arcade (a row of arches) and new roofs.
Victorian Changes and Repairs
Between 1873 and 1874, the chancel (the part of the church where the altar is) was repaired and updated. This type of repair is known as a Victorian restoration. A new window made of Polyphant Stone (a type of stone from Cornwall) was put in the chancel. This window has beautiful stained glass showing the crucifixion. It also has a Latin message that means "May I glory in nothing but the cross."
Two more new Polyphant Stone windows were added to the main part of the church, called the nave. The chancel got a new oak roof and new seats called stalls. The floor was covered with special patterned tiles. The nave also got new seats made of pitch-pine wood.
The rood screen, a decorative screen that separates the chancel from the nave, was also fixed up. It was put back on the south side of the chancel. The church was reopened for services on April 11, 1874, by Frederick Temple, who was the Bishop of Exeter at the time.
Inside the Church: Special Features
St Winnow's Church has many interesting old features inside.
Stained Glass and Rood Screen
Some of the stained glass windows in the east part of the chancel and the south aisle are very old, from around 1500. The rood screen, which dates back to the 16th century, is carved with detailed leaves and flowers. It was repaired in 1907 and celebrated at the Harvest Festival that year.
Font, Pulpit, and Bench Ends
The font (a basin used for baptisms) is made of granite and is from the 14th century. It is carved with angels holding shields. The pulpit (where the preacher stands) is from around 1600 and has rich carvings. You can also see carved bench ends (the decorated ends of the wooden pews) from different times between 1485 and 1630.
Monuments and Memorials
Inside the church, you can find old monuments. One of them remembers William Sawle, who passed away in 1651. These monuments help us learn about people from the past who were connected to the church.
Church Connections
St Winnow's Church is part of a group of churches that work together. This group includes:
- Boconnoc Church
- St Mary the Virgin's Church, Braddock
- St Cyricius and St Julietta's Church, St Veep
- St Brevita’s Church, Lanlivery
- St Nectan’s Chapel, St Winnow
- St Bartholomew's Church, Lostwithiel
The Church Organ
The church has an organ with one manual (keyboard) and pedals. It has 9 speaking stops, which are controls that change the sound of the organ. You can find more details about this organ in the National Pipe Organ Register.
The Church Bells
St Winnow's Church has a very unusual bell tower because it holds two sets of bells, called peals.
Older Bells
The first set has 6 bells. These bells are now too high up in the tower to be rung safely. Ringing them would put too much stress on the tower itself. These older bells were made at different times: one in 1754, two in 1771, one in 1790, one in 1864, and one in 1899.
Newer Bells
In 2017, a brand new set of 10 bells was put in. These new bells are placed lower in the tower, underneath the older ones. All of these new bells were made by the Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry in Holland, which is famous for making bells.
