St. Dennis Revisited August 2018

Dennis Revisited August 2018

I have been to St. Dennis Church, well separated from its parent village, on several occasions, first in July 2016, when I approached on foot from Goss Moor and entered the site by a stile into the iron-age hill fort and its woodland. The second occasion was in December of the same year when, from below, I could hardly see the site in the clouds. On both of those occasions I took plenty of photos but was unable to obtain access to the church which, due to its remote site, is normally kept locked. Happily, when I went to St. Dennis Church in mid-August 2018, it was a case of third time lucky. Lucky because a wedding service was nearing its end and before long a vast white limousine pulled away with the happy couple. I headed into the church to be sure to be inside before it was locked. Inside I found the vicar, Revd. Paul Arthur, and enjoyed an informative chat with him. He is convinced that the ancient font, outside the porch, is Saxon; Pevsner categorises it as fifteenth century. I would like to think Revd. Arthur has the right of it. The church has had a chequered history. A 15th century church was rebuilt, as so many were in Victorian times, in 1847 though the original tower remains. The north aisle had to be rebuilt after a fire in 1986. The interior is of relatively little interest, resembling, if anything, more a Methodist chapel than an Anglican church. Priests chair, priest's pew and pulpit are all of oak and simple in design. Stained glass is quite attractive. The unusual altar frontispiece has the appearance of marquetry. Unexpectedly, the Royal Arms are of Queen Anne dated 1711. Alongside the path to the porch is a fine Cornish Cross, its best face away from you, so walk on the grass to see it best.

Fine Cornish Cross

St. Dennis's Colourful Altar

Queen Anne's Coat of Arms

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