Churches & Holy Sites

Advent Church near Tresinney

I was first at Advent church in 2014, in the course of researching a round walk from St. Breward to Camelford. Then I passed through Advent churchyard on my way from Camelford back to St. Breward. On this occasion, in July 2016, I had been to Lanteglos-by-Camelford in the morning and decided to continue to Advent, not far away, in the afternoon. Despite the name Advent church, and therefore the existence of a parish of Advent, there is no village of that name. The church is quite isolated and reached either by a footpath across a couple of fields from Trethin, entering the churchyard by a gate and stile, or by a narrow track from a lane at Tresinney. As churches go, this may well be Cornwall's least interesting - makes me wonder why I have bothered to report on it. There is very little or no atmosphere, there are no carved bench ends, which you get in so many Cornish churches, no interesting memorials, no good stained glass. About the only worthwhile features are an attractive window in the south aisle (see photo), a Norman font, bosses on the wagon roofs, and an apparently damaged pulpit with panels missing. There is a little interesting woodwork in the porch roof. Of some interest is the site, the bank surrounding the churchyard suggesting a very early Christian or even pagan site.

More Advent church

From Valley Truckle on A39 follow sign Advent

South window in Advent church

This review was written by Oliver Howes and is reproduced here in his own words. All text and photographs remain his work, preserved in his memory.

More in Churches & Holy Sites

Agnes

I had hoped to have an entry on St. Agnes church by now but unfortunately the church is not always open and when I was in the village in early April 2018 it was closed. I emailed Tony Hocking - there's a good Cornish name - and now have contact details for churchwarden Becky. I shall be in touch with her and, when I have been able to visit, will produce a report. In the meantime, here are some exterior images.

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St. Allen Tower and Porch

Altarnun Revisited

I was back in Altarnun in early August 2019, I was last there in May 2015 when I looked in the church briefly at the beginning of a long and most enjoyable walk that took me, by way of Tregirls, up onto Fox Tor on Bodmin Moor. I have also used Altarnun as a starting point for walks, including an enoyable Inny Valleys Walk. This time, before enering the church, I lingered in the porch for the attractive carved roof bosses. Inside, I was again captivated by what must be one of Cornwall's very best collections of medieval carved bench ends, 79 in all, carved over twenty years in the mid-16th century period by Robert Daye. Some of the best examples are below; here are some more examples of my Altarnun favourites.