St Mellanus

Site of Norman Church with remains possibly in nave, chancel and south transept walls.

Nave, chancel and south transept partly rebuilt in circa mid C14.

Tower circa mid C15 and north aisle circa mid to late C15.

Porch circa early C16.

Circa C16 or C17 studded double boarded door.

3-light belfry openings with mid C15 Perpendicular tracery beneath 4-centred arch.

Gargoyles in cornice below parapet on north and south sides.

Pointed moulded arch to south door with circa C16/C17 double boarded door, studded with strap hinges.

North aisle and nave roofs intact with original sealed waggon roofs with moulded ribs and carved bosses.

North aisle with carved timber wall plate and moulded timber arcade plate.

Nave with carved timber arcade plate with intertwined foliage divided by shields.

Moulded bases carved capitals with'stylized decorations of abaci including banded rings, quatrefoils and horizontal, vertical and oblique lines.

Early C17 pulpit, octagonal with carved pilasters and decorated round arches on panels.

Octagonal font with octagonal shaft and square base.

Monuments

In east end of north aisle, 2 monuments to Coryton family

to William Coryton, died 1651 and wife who died in 1646.

Figures in aedicular surround, kneeling en face with prayer table between.

Remains of ancient colour on figures.

Slate tablet with inscription to rear of figures.

Further monument to Sir William Coryton, died 1711 and wife Susanna died 1695.

The kneeling effigies are of the son of William Coryton, Sir William Coryton (†1711) and his wife Dame Susanna (†1695). This monument's style is essentially of the Elizabethan or Jacobean period, and therefore its early C18 date for its commissioning is quite remarkable.

© Mike Searle

With exception of dress of kneeling figures, the fluting of the columns and the design of the prayer table, the monument closely copies the design of that to William Coryton, 1651 and is thus a very late example of the type.

The kneeling figures on this Coryton family monument are of William Coryton (†1651), and his wife Elizabeth (†1656).

© Mike Searle

Other monuments to Coryton family in south transept.

Simple well designed classical memorial by Thomas and Edward Gaffin

Brass in chancel to Peter Coryton, died 1551, in armour with wife Jane, daughter of John Tregasoo with 24 children below.

Rev. H. Haines A Manual of Monumental Brasses 1861 rp 1970 N. Pevsner and E. Radcliffe The Buidings of England, Cornwall 2nd ed. 1972 J. Polsue Lakes Parochial History of the County of Cornwall 1867-73 rp 1974