Church Of St Michael

The Church of St Michael is a parish church, likely with origins in the 13th century, substantially enlarged during the 15th century. It underwent restoration in 1826, and again between 1870 and 1889 by the architectural practice of Hine and Odgers, with further work in 1982. The church is constructed of stone rubble with granite quoins, a moulded granite plinth, and granite strings. It has slate roofs, with the nave and chancel forming a single space. The plan incorporates a possible 13th-century nave and chancel, extended by a 4-bay north aisle and a 5-bay south aisle in the 15th century. A circa 15th-century south porch and a west tower are also part of the design.

The unbuttressed west tower has three stages, with a rectangular stair turret on the north side. It features battlemented parapets with crocketed finials surmounted by crosses. A moulded, stilted arch defines the west door, and a 3-light window and 2-light belfry openings, complete with slate louvres, were added in the 19th century. South aisle windows have 19th-century tracery, while the chancel window has simple 3-light Perpendicular tracery. A circa 15th-century 3-light Perpendicular window with cusped heads is located at the east end of the north aisle. A piscina is set into the exterior of the north wall of the chancel. The north aisle features three 15th-century Perpendicular windows and a blocked 4-centred moulded arch where a north door once stood. The south porch has a 2-centred hollow chamfered arch, incorporating a sundial dated 1684, and a 15th-century waggon roof. It also contains a moulded basket arch constructed from Catacleuse stone, displaying a hollow chamfer and carved floral motifs.

Inside, the walls are plastered. The nave and north and south aisles have unceiled 15th-century waggon roofs with carved ribs and wall plate, partially restored, with particularly high-quality carving in the north aisle and evidence of pendants at the east end. A 19th-century roof covers the chancel. The arcades consist of a 5-bay arcade to the south aisle and a 4-bay arcade to the north aisle. The piers are of granite type A and have moulded bases, moulded 4-centred arches, and capitals carved from Caenstone and Polyphant stone. The chancel includes a piscina and credence. A circa 15th-century font and Royal Arms dated 1727 (painted on a timber board) are also present. Bench ends rescued from the Church of St Tudius, St Tudy, are of circa 15th-century origin, while other benches date to 1882. Commandments boards, dated 1803 and signed Henry Hocken and Wm Symons (Churchwardens), are also incorporated. A bell dated 1550 is among the church’s fittings, along with 16th and 17th-century memorials.