St. Newlyn East, St. Newlina's Church

Newlyn East, St. Newlina's Church

This is one of the many churches in Cornwall built on an older religious site, a raised area known as a lann. The church is best approached from the south, through a lych gate and along a path lined with old tombstones. As you enter the prominent south porch you notice two things. Above the doorway is a small and colourful statue, presumably St. Newlina. To the left of the doorway to the body of the church is another door, looking as if it leads to (presumably now non-existent) stairs. As with so many Cornish churches, St. Newlina's is of Norman origins and some Norman work remains. The present church is mostly of the 13th to 16th centuries but had a major make-over by J D Sedding in 1883. Sedding's work includes some fine carved woodwork and new roofs over the nave, chancel and south aisle, using the original ceiling bosses. The roof of the north transept is original. The rood screen is also the work of Sedding and includes an elaborate rood loft into which he incorporated traceried panels from the original screen in his parclose screen. The font is Norman, of the Bodmin type, angel faces at each corner but the columns replaced with columns of serpentine from The Lizard. 16th century bench ends are capped with heraldic lions and leopards, a device found in a few other Cornish churches. Pevsner reports a much eroded Lantern Head Cornish Cross near the font; I failed to spot it. The Royal Arms are of Charles I and are of brightly painted and gilded plasterwork. Some nice kneelers include a musical one with trombone, a heavy horse, and a strange Cornish Coat of Arms with the 15 bezants, a crown, two white feathers, two Cornish Choughs and the Dutch name "Homout".

Newlyn East Church

Double Bench End

Highly decorated Chancel Ceiling

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