St. Marnarch's Parish Church
The western elevation. The entrance is in the south wall
Until the early 7th century AD Cornwall was part of the Celtic
fringe of Britain. The various tribes often found an excuse to
declare war on each other, and even the coming of the Romans had
fringe of Britain. The various tribes often found an excuse to
declare war on each other, and even the coming of the Romans had
little effect on the existing lifestyle.
However, during the 7th century Christianity began to assert itself,
and the old ways gradually changed. It was around this time that
St. Piran is said to have arrived in Cornwall. Records indicate that a
church of sorts was built on the present site as far back as the eighth
century but it was not until the Normans arrived in the latter part of
the 11th century that the basis of the existing church came into being.
Most of the present church is the result of much rebuilding and
additional works, but the original north wall and transept still exist,
and the old ways gradually changed. It was around this time that
St. Piran is said to have arrived in Cornwall. Records indicate that a
church of sorts was built on the present site as far back as the eighth
century but it was not until the Normans arrived in the latter part of
the 11th century that the basis of the existing church came into being.
Most of the present church is the result of much rebuilding and
additional works, but the original north wall and transept still exist,
as do the font and a small stone Altar.
Much of the subsequent history of the church is steeped in the
Reformation, the Civil Wars and the Restoration of the Monarchy
in the mid 17th century. This is all recorded in a very readable booklet
written by Rosemary Pollock, a local amateur historian, with some
illustrations by her mother Ida. It also includes a written 'walk around'
of the present building. Priced at £1.50, it is available in the church,
Reformation, the Civil Wars and the Restoration of the Monarchy
in the mid 17th century. This is all recorded in a very readable booklet
written by Rosemary Pollock, a local amateur historian, with some
illustrations by her mother Ida. It also includes a written 'walk around'
of the present building. Priced at £1.50, it is available in the church,
or £1.75 by post (UK only) overseas postage at cost.
All proceeds go to the church.
All proceeds go to the church.
Please send orders & remittances to the Lanreath Shop - see
Contact Us page.
Photo by RGC
Priest in Charge - Rev. Linda Smith The Vicarage, Trelawne, Pelynt. Tel:- (01503) 272640
Church Warden - Mrs. Dawn White
Tel:- (01726) 870743
From the Parish Magazine - June 2008
Sunday Services in Lanreath church during May
May 4th Holy Communion 9.30am
11th No service
18th Holy Communion 9.30am (Trinity Sunday)
25th Family Service 9.30am
11th No service
18th Holy Communion 9.30am (Trinity Sunday)
25th Family Service 9.30am
Dear Friends,
I was in the petrol station waiting to pay for my fuel when I overheard the lady in front asking for directions to Plymouth.
She was telling the cashier that she had stopped using her 'sat nav' because it kept taking her down all the narrow lanes and by
the time she arrived at her destination she was a nervous wreck! It's becoming a familiar story - tales of tourists stuck in the
lanes, delivery vehicles and even ambulances getting stuck trying to drive down roads that are just too small to
accommodate them. Talland Hill in Polperro is a well known local example. As the lady left the cashier said to me, "have we
all forgotten how to read a map?"
Thinking about it later I had to agree, it does seem that increasingly we rely on other people to tell us what to do, rather than
reading instructions or finding out for ourselves. I've recently had a new mobile phone and I have relied totally on my daughter
to show me how to use it! You may sympathise, but does it not show that we are in some ways avoiding having to look after
ourselves, avoiding taking responsibility for our actions; if we're doing what someone else said how can we be fully to blame?
We are of course deceiving ourselves, by allowing ourselves to be directed by others we are also being influenced by them,
increasingly we lose touch with our own minds, until, as St. Paul says, 'we are blown here and there by every wind of teaching'.
Jesus speaks into all of this when he says 'Repent and believe, for the kingdom of heaven is near.' He is urging us to turn away
from all that leads us on paths directed by others, for he knows that such paths will only lead us at best to someone else's door,
or perhaps we will find ourselves stuck with no room to turn around. Repent, think again he says, and make your own
decision, choose this path, the path that leads to life, know that all the best possibilities of life are there, they are very near, but
the choice is yours, and yours alone. Repent, and begin again, taking responsibility for your own life, be guided by the voice of
the one who made you, knows you and loves you, and you won't go far wrong.
All Blessings,
Linda.
She was telling the cashier that she had stopped using her 'sat nav' because it kept taking her down all the narrow lanes and by
the time she arrived at her destination she was a nervous wreck! It's becoming a familiar story -
accommodate them. Talland Hill in Polperro is a well known local example. As the lady left the cashier said to me, "have we
all forgotten how to read a map?"
Thinking about it later I had to agree, it does seem that increasingly we rely on other people to tell us what to do, rather than
reading instructions or finding out for ourselves. I've recently had a new mobile phone and I have relied totally on my daughter
to show me how to use it! You may sympathise, but does it not show that we are in some ways avoiding having to look after
ourselves, avoiding taking responsibility for our actions; if we're doing what someone else said how can we be fully to blame?
We are of course deceiving ourselves, by allowing ourselves to be directed by others we are also being influenced by them,
increasingly we lose touch with our own minds, until, as St. Paul says, 'we are blown here and there by every wind of teaching'.
Jesus speaks into all of this when he says 'Repent and believe, for the kingdom of heaven is near.' He is urging us to turn away
from all that leads us on paths directed by others, for he knows that such paths will only lead us at best to someone else's door,
or perhaps we will find ourselves stuck with no room to turn around. Repent, think again he says, and make your own
decision, choose this path, the path that leads to life, know that all the best possibilities of life are there, they are very near, but
the choice is yours, and yours alone. Repent, and begin again, taking responsibility for your own life, be guided by the voice of
the one who made you, knows you and loves you, and you won't go far wrong.
All Blessings,
Linda.