Church Of St Catherine

The Church of St Catherine is a building of circa late 12th or early 13th century origins, heavily restored between 1852 and 1883 by Silvanus Trevail. Constructed of snecked granite and moorstone with granite dressings, the church has a steeply pitched slate roof with decorative fish-scale slates and slate barge boards. The layout comprises a nave and chancel under a single gabled roof, a lower gabled north transept, and a south porch.

The church had fallen into disrepair by 1850, necessitating a restoration fund. While the base of the west tower may date from the late 12th or early 13th century, the church was almost entirely rebuilt by Silvanus Trevail, who designed the plans without charge. Remnants of a Norman font and reused dressed stone are visible throughout the church and in adjacent buildings. The church was reputedly built on earlier foundations, and the original design included a west tower, nave, chancel, north transept and south porch.

The west tower has two stages with a chamfered plinth and strings. A single-light window is located on the first stage, and 19th-century single-light belfry openings with slate louvres are present above. The second stage is recessed, and the top is corbelled out with a battlemented parapet. Lancet windows of 1 and 2 lights, dating to the 19th century, are found on the north and south sides of the nave and chancel. Reused dressed stone featuring a cusped head and spandrels adorns the lancet window on the north side of the nave. A gabled south porch, also of the 19th century, features ornate hinges on the inner plank door.

Inside, the roof is arch-braced and of 19th-century design. A chamfered 2-centred arch with impost mouldings frames the tower. The second stage of the tower lacks a floor. The restored Norman font features a square base and simple round granite bowl. The church is furnished with 20th-century fittings. 19th-century stained glass windows depict subjects related to the Knights Templars and Hospitallers.

Historically, in 1150, King Stephen granted the Manor of Trebeigh in St Ive parish (connected to Trebeigh Manor) to the Knights Templars, establishing the Preceptory of Trebeigh. Following the Templars' suppression in 1312, their lands were transferred to the Knights Hospitallers. Subsequently, the order was dissolved during the Reformation, and the lands were confiscated and granted to Henry Wilbye, George Blyke, and eventually the Wrey family in the 17th century. Until 1753, the church was known for allowing marriages without banns or license. Disuse followed for over a century, and a rebuilding fund was established in 1850, leading to the church’s reopening in 1883.