St. Breoca's Church

Breoca's Church

That this tiny hamlet has such an impressive church may be because it was once in the important episcopal manor of Pawton, as part of the domain of the Bishops of Exeter, and was the mother church of Wadebridge. Outside is odd; the porch should normally be on the south side but this is tucked close into the hill so the porch is on the north side. Inside are the expected wagon roofs and some handsome memorials; best is the beautiful Vyell tomb of 1598, dismantled and displayed on the wall of St. Michael's Chapel. Other interesting memorials include brasses and slates and the 13th century tomb of a priest, perhaps the first at this church which was completed in 1259. I visited in March 2007, on my way home from exploring some of the antiquities on St. Breock Downs. The church was dedicated in 1259, its high altar dedicated in 1318, but replaced by one with a transparent alabaster reredos by E H Sedding in 1908. Stained glass in the south chancel chapel depicts, among other scenes, the Feeding of The Five Thousand and the Wedding at Canaa in Galilee. Brasses commemorate the Tredeneck family. Large slate monuments are to the Prideaux-Brune family of Padstow. A delightful hexagonal font is of blue Catacleuse stone. The churchyard is full of 18th and 19th century slate headstones to the important families of Wadebridge.

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The north side of St. Breock Church

Lane from Tollgate roundabout on A39 at Wadebridge

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