Church Of Saint Gothian

GWINEAR-GWITHIAN GWITHIAN CHURCHTOWN SW 54 SE 1/35 (was 1/2) Church of Saint Gothian -

GV II* Parish church. C13 font (retooled in the C19), C15 tower, otherwise mostly rebuilt by Edmund Sedding in 1865-1866 but incorporating parts of the 1782 chancel. Granite ashlar tower, otherwise granite rubble with granite dressings. Dry Delabole slate roof with coped gable ends and cruciform finials. Plan: Originally a cruciform plan, then extended with a south aisle and west tower in the C15 and the chancel was rebuilt in 1782. In the C19 most of the church, except for the tower and parts of the chancel, was demolished and rebuilt to its earlier cruciform plan with C15 west tower, nave, slightly narrower chancel, north and south transepts and south porch. The C19 parts are in the Early English style. Elements of the C15 arcade are reused in the lych gate q.v. Exterior: unaltered C15 embattled 3-stage west tower with original doorway and window openings. The tower is unbuttressed with plinth and strings dividing the stage. The parapet has angel corner gargoyles and the turrets carrying the pinnacles are enriched with carved panelled decoration. 4-centred west doorway with 3-light window over. Louvred 3-light windows to the upper stage. The C19 nave, chancel and transept windows are cusped lancets or have simple tracery. The east chancel window has coloured glass. North doorway and south porch doorway is possibly C15 but retooled in the C19. Interior: C15 tower arch, otherwise C19 in Early English style with chancel arch carried on impost corbels ; sedilia, piscina and credence niche in the chancel (possibly copies of originals) and C19 roof structure incorporating some carved C15 oak fragments from Pillack church roof over the chancel. Plastered walls. Fittings: possibly C13 font bowl on C19 shafts and base ; village stocks ; C19 pews and other fittings. Sources: Gwithian, by Charles Thomas, 1964.

Listing NGR: SW5863541263