St. Hilary Churchtown

Hilary Churchtown

Shortly before Christmas 2017, after visiting Newlyn for St. Peters Church I went on to St. Hilary Churchtown for the church there. It could be easy to miss; St. Hilary village is on the B3280 road from Marazion to Leedstown but you have to continue a short way to Higher Downs and turn there for St.Hilary Churchtown and its remarkable and most unusual church. The church consists of nave, south aisle, south transept and porch and, most unusually for Cornwall, a broach spire. Pevsner describes it as "of uncommon interest and arresting atmosphere". The delightful, art-filled interior is thanks to Father Bernard Walke, vicar from 1913 to 1936. He developed a close association with the famed Newlyn School of Artists and commissioned its members to create an original and colourful interior. In the churchyard, a Cornish Cross incorporates a wheel-head and a Christ figure.

Cornish Cross

Paintings in the Chancel

Painted Pulpit

St.