Wyllow
Lanteglos-by-Fowey, St. Wyllow,
Encountered on a walk around Fowey and Polruan, St. Wyllow's is a delight. Daphne du Maurier thought so, too, and married Boy Browning here in 1932. Located between Bodinnick and Polruan, it is hidden high in a valley. The only nearby habitation is Churchtown Farm. The brass on the left commemorates Thomas Mohun, 15th century lord of the manor. The former Mohun pew is now a panel in the south aisle. Bench ends are quite superb, among Cornwall's finest (and that is saying somehing). I particularly like this one on the right portraying an eel and two fish. Outside the south porch is an unusual 'lantern' cross; nearby is the stump of another. Whilst you may like to visit by car we much prefer to visit St. Wyllow's in the course of an enjoyable Fowey and Polruan walk, which we have done several times and which also offers superb views of Fowey and the Fowey River, and the chance to see fascinating Pont Pill.
I was back in Lanteglos in early September 2016 on my way to a first visit to Lansallos church. Although there is no car park as such at St. Wyllow, there is room for several cars outside Churhtown Farm opposite. On this visit I noticed in the church: 5 coats of arms on carved wooden panelling, a tomb lacking its recumbent figure, two statues in wall niches, the redundant rood stair, a carved pulpit, a nice wooden font cover and a fine deudarn chest. I also admired the fine choir stalls and an entertaining painted heraldic shield.
Mohun Brass
Fish Bench End
Photographs
More in Churches & Holy Sites
Advent Church near Tresinney
I was first at Advent church in 2014, in the course of researching a round walk from St. Breward to Camelford. Then I passed through Advent churchyard on my way from Camelford back to St. Breward. On this occasion, in July 2016, I had been to Lanteglos-by-Camelford in the morning and decided to continue to Advent, not far away, in the afternoon. Despite the name Advent church, and therefore the existence of a parish of Advent, there is no village of that name. The church is quite isolated and reached either by a footpath across a couple of fields from Trethin, entering the churchyard by a gate and stile, or by a narrow track from a lane at Tresinney. As churches go, this may well be Cornwall's least interesting - makes me wonder why I have bothered to report on it. There is very little or no atmosphere, there are no carved bench ends, which you get in so many Cornish churches, no interesting memorials, no good stained glass. About the only worthwhile features are an attractive window in the south aisle (see photo), a Norman font, bosses on the wagon roofs, and an apparently damaged pulpit with panels missing. There is a little interesting woodwork in the porch roof. Of some interest is the site, the bank surrounding the churchyard suggesting a very early Christian or even pagan site.
Agnes
I had hoped to have an entry on St. Agnes church by now but unfortunately the church is not always open and when I was in the village in early April 2018 it was closed. I emailed Tony Hocking - there's a good Cornish name - and now have contact details for churchwarden Becky. I shall be in touch with her and, when I have been able to visit, will produce a report. In the meantime, here are some exterior images.
Allen
St. Allen Tower and Porch