St. Piran's Oratory -The 2014 Archaeological Dig

Oratory -The 2014 Archaeological Dig

This is one of Cornwall's most important historic Christian sites and although the Oratory remains are not thought to be of St. Piran's original building they are probably of its 7th or 8th century replacement and therefore one of the oldest holy buildings in Britain. While the location is well known there is some dispute about the name of the dunes here, part of a system stretching much of the way from Holywell Bay to Perranporth. The OS104 map calls it Penhale Sands; Cornwall Council and the St.Piran Trust call it Gear Sands; I prefer Perran Sands. The building was discovered in the 19th century, when shifting sand partly exposed it, and was excavated in 1834 amd 1843. After re-excavation in 1910 a shell of concrete block was constructed around the building to conserve it. In 1980 it was re-buried under sand and a stone marker and story board erected. At last, in 2014, the Oratory is being excavated again, with plans to consolidate it and leave it on public view, like nearby St. Piran's Church. The main bodies involved in the excavation are Cornwall's Archaeological Unit and the St. Piran Trust, a very local charitable trust led by the formidable Eileen Carter who has campaigned tirelessly, first for St. Piran's Church, now for the Oratory. Each year there is a procession to the site on St. Piran's Day 5th March.

The Oratory excavated down to floor level

Photo taken November 2014. Note the altar

The Oratory storyboard is at SW 76874/56402

9 mile Round Walk includes the St. Piran's Oratory and Church

Update November 2014: At the beginning of November 2014 I took a walk across Penhale Sands to see what progress had been made at the Oratory in the past 8 months. At the time I was disappointed to discover that the site was still surrounded with security fencing and the remains were hidden by black plastic, held down by sandbags. However, I got in touch with Cornwall Council archaeologist James Gossip who tells me that work should recommence very soon and that completion is hoped for Spring 2015. The high winter water table poses considerable problems as I noticed in March 2014 when a small lake closely abutted the site. However, by Spring 2015 it is hoped that partial remains of all four walls will be exposed and there will be access to the site and a new storyboard. I look forward greatly to the project's completion.

Update Late November 2014: I was back at the Oratory on Thursday 20 November. To my delight work had continued apace since earlier in the month. Excavation had got right down to floor level, walls were standing up to 10 feet in height and the altar had been reconstructed. You will notice in the photograph that there is material against the west wall; I wonder whether this may even be original buttressing as Celtic buildings of the period tended to need support. Open days were held on Saturday and Sunday 22nd and 23rd November with a service on the Sunday. More information on the dig and its results should be published on the Piran Trust website in due course.

St. Euny's