St. Mewan

Mewan

This is not a church of any great significance. I include it only because it is not far from another church which I have included in my descriptions, that at St. Stephen--in-Brannel, a few miles west of St. Austell. St. Mewan is just to the north of the A390 road from St. Austell to Grampound and Truro, on a minor road that leads to Trewoon. I visited St. Stephen and St. Mewan on a dull, drizzly Friday in mid-June 2019. Normally, my church visits are on a Saturday but St. Stephen's regular opening day is Friday, so I thought I had little choice; as it turned out, St. Stephen's was closed then but I was able to arrange with very helpful priest, Emma Childs, for a visit on Saturday the following week. The church stands within a raised lann, within it a small graveyard, a tall WWII memorial, and a seat, similar to one I have seen in Saltash, acting as a WWI memorial. The first thing to notice about St. Mewan is its tower. This was originally intended to be impressively tall but, in the event. was not continued above the second stage though, unusually, it is topped by a low pyramidal roof. The body of the church was begun in the 12th century and was originally intended to be cruciform but was extensively rebuilt, and then restored, in the 19th century. Original parts include part of the nave wall and the chancel windows. The octagonal font is late 14th century but stands on a Norman base; a tiny early font stands near it. In the chancel, the piscina is 13th century. Unexpected are the litany desks in the quire , their ends topped with figures of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The pulpit, presumably Victorian, has carved decoration. Stained glass is of the late 19th century. The reredos behind the altar carries four small shields, which I could not identify. What, at first glance, appears to be royal arms, is in fact a memorial to Sr Francis Layland-Barratt and dates from the mid 20th century.

Leyland-Barratt Arms

St.Mewan Church on its raised lann

St. Mewan Litany Desk

St. Michael