St Merteriana

Circa C13 church possibly comprised chancel, nave and west tower.

In circa C15 the north wall of the nave was rebuilt and in circa late C15 the west tower was largely rebuilt.

The 5-bay south aisle and south porch were probably added in circa early C16, possibly during the incumbency of John Trelawney The fenestration in the nave and south aisle appears stylistically to date from the C16 to early C17 although the moulded jambs may be earlier.

The Perpendicular tracery in the nave, south aisle and tower appears stylistically to date from the C16 or early C17 with simple round headed lights, the central light raised.

west door with moulded granite segmental arch and carved spandrels.

3-light west window and 2-light belfry openings on west and east faces with carved spandrels.

A pair of scissors have been carved on the north side of the west face.

North wall of nave with 2-light and 3-light C16 fenestration.

North wall of chancel with circa C13 lancet window with later head and 2-light circa C13 window with eroded central mullion.

Circa early C16 3-light east window restored in 1859 and similar circa early C16 4-light east window to south aisle.

3-light and 4-light C16 tracery in south aisle.

Gabled south porch with moulded 3-centred arch with carved spandrels and hood mould, stone benches and 4-centred arch to south door with double roll mould and simple rounded stops.

C19 furnishings with credence table comprising remains of circa early C16 carved bench ends.

Circa C12 font of greenstone with round bowl, square stem and octagonal base.

Memorials

Brass to Hender Robarts , memorial to John Cotton in chancel, two fine monuments to John Hender and William and Elizabeth Cotton in south aisle

both with two kneeling figures at prayer desks.

Latter with verse "forty-nine years they lived man and wife and whats more rare thus many without strife shee first departing, hee a few weekes tryed To live without her - could not-and so dyed.." Fine collection of ledger stones reset at west end of south aisle including memorials to William Cotton of Bottreaux Castle , Sarah his wife , Jane Silly daughter of Chaunter Cotton and relict of John Silly of St Minver (q.v. Trevelver, Dinham and Carlyon, St Minver Highlands).

Dedication of Sir Jonathan Phillips of Newport House, Cornwall who bequethed £100 for the benefit of poor families in the parish Other memorials to John Avery , Jonathan Phillips and Charles Cotton Phillips Tower with one bell known as the tinking bell, formerly over west door of Bodmin Church and removed to present position in 1814

Sedding, E.H. Norman Architecture in Cornwall, a handbook of Old Cornish Ecclesiastical Architecture, 1909.

Sites and Monuments Register, Truro, Cornwall.