Church Of St Petroc

The Church of St Petroc is a parish church with origins dating back to around the 12th century. Elements of this early structure survive in the west tower and possibly the chancel. The church was restored in around 1855 and again between 1888 and 1889 by S.D. Sedding. The building is constructed of stone rubble with a moulded plinth and has a slate roof with gable ends. A lower roof sits above the chancel and the chapels located at the east end of the north and south aisles.

The church’s plan reveals a rebuild in the early 12th century, with remnants visible in the lower stage of the tower and potentially the east wall of the chancel. Significant rebuilding took place in the 15th century, including the addition of seven-bay north and south aisles and raising the west tower to three stages. The south porch was rebuilt in the 19th century, incorporating reused 15th-century dressed stone. During the 1888-9 restoration, the chancel was restored, and the height of the nave pews was reduced; a photograph depicting the church before this restoration is displayed on the south wall.

The west tower features three stages with set-back angle buttresses and a battlemented parapet. There is no door on the west side. The belfry has three-light Perpendicular windows with slate louvres. Adjacent to the tower is a wall enclosing the entrance to the Prideaux family vault, and it incorporates a reset medieval cross originally from the grounds of Prideaux Place, erected in 1833 to commemorate Charles Prideaux-Brune. Impressive five-light Perpendicular windows illuminate the chancel. Perpendicular windows in Catacleuse stone are found on the north and south aisles and were partly restored in the 19th century. Carved figures adorn the buttresses at the east end of the south aisle, displaying heraldic devices. Fine, circa late 17th-century raised and fielded panelled doors provide access to opposing entrances on the north and south sides.

Inside, the nave features a high-quality ceiled waggon roof with moulded ribs. The north and south aisles also have 15th-century waggon roofs. The south aisle's roof is particularly well-preserved, with carved corbelled angels at the east end. The chancel roof was replaced in the 19th century. A two-centred tower arch, dating from the 12th or 13th century, is present. Seven-bay arcades rise to the north and south aisles; the two eastern bays are lower, with piers constructed of limestone. Early 19th-century pews were reduced in height during the 1888-9 restoration. Two 15th-century bench ends are found in the chancel. A Catacleuse stone font, possibly from the 15th century, has a table-top design with twelve apostles carved on the four faces of the bowl, supported by four octagonal piers and a central round shaft. The pulpit, likely from the 16th century and restored in the 19th century, features finely carved 16th-century panels. A rood loft staircase is present. Creed and Commandment boards are located in the chancel. Numerous memorials of fine quality are displayed, including that of Sir Nicholas Prideaux (1627), and a brass of L. Merther (1421).