Church of St. Morwenna and St. John the Baptist
This ancient church, rebuilt at least 3 times, is flanked at all sides by history
Contributors:Vordenius
The Church of St. Morwenna and St John the Baptist is steeped in history, the width and breadth of which is still expanding to this day.
The church has a clear Norman heritage, but scholars have concluded that a Saxon church once occupied these grounds before the current structure was built. In addition, the entire site is thought to have began as a pagan site of worship centuries ago.
Beyond the known reconstructions, the church has undergone numerous restorations in the last 100 years, including a series of large-scale renovations during the turn of the previous century.
The church contains a historic figurehead that belonged to the Caledonia--a ship that ran aground on nearby Sharpnose Point. 8 crew members died in the shipwreck, including the captain, whose graves now rests on the church grounds. The captain's grave is marked with a replica of the famous figurehead.
The famous eccentric Robert Stephen Hawker was vicar from 1834 to 1875 and is commemorated by a stained glass window,
The church has a clear Norman heritage, but scholars have concluded that a Saxon church once occupied these grounds before the current structure was built. In addition, the entire site is thought to have began as a pagan site of worship centuries ago.
Beyond the known reconstructions, the church has undergone numerous restorations in the last 100 years, including a series of large-scale renovations during the turn of the previous century.
The church contains a historic figurehead that belonged to the Caledonia--a ship that ran aground on nearby Sharpnose Point. 8 crew members died in the shipwreck, including the captain, whose graves now rests on the church grounds. The captain's grave is marked with a replica of the famous figurehead.
The famous eccentric Robert Stephen Hawker was vicar from 1834 to 1875 and is commemorated by a stained glass window,
