Chapel Of St Mary Magdalene

LEZANT TRECARRELL SX 37 NW 5/68 Chapel of St Mary Magdalene (formerly 22.11.60 listed as Chapel at Trecarrel)

GV I

Domestic chapel. Early C16, probably for Sir Henry Trecarrel with minor later alterations and repairs. Granite ashlar; slate roof with coped verges. Single- cell plan with moulded plinth, eaves cornice and stepped angle buttresses. South side has lean-to staircase projection to west with small narrow chamfered rectangular window to west face. Tiny square chamfered window directly below eaves to east lit former west gallery. 4-centred window to east with square label-stops to hoodmould has 3 cinquefoil-headed lights with quatrefoils above. Similar east window has carved decoration to label-stops; late C20 granite cross to gable. Another similar window to east on north side has incised crosses to label-stops. Tiny window to west corresponding with that on south and lean-to projection (top rebuilt in rubblestone) formerly with stack, also in same position as that on south. West wall has Tudor-arched doorway with carved spandrels, square label-stops and plank door with strap hinges. Interior: Exposed waggon roof has 3 rails, moulded to east end and plain to west; wallplate also carved to east end. C20 slate floor with original step up to sanctuary. This has trefoil-headed piscinae in north and south walls and granite pillars with moulded plinths and capitals (for statues) to either side of east window. West gallery now removed but tiny windows in north and wouth walls are splayed to admit more light. Staircase also gone but garderobe and fireplace remain at former first-floor level to north projection; unidentified recess to ground floor. Excavations at the chapel in 1980s produced evidence for the wooden posts supporting the gallery and also for earlier buildings on the site, both ecclesiastical and before that agricultural. The glazing in the windows is late C20 and it is likely that the chapel originally had portable glass. The iron bars, however are probably original or C17. It has been suggested that the western gallery was for the use of a resident chaplain. A chapel was first licensed here in 1405. Scheduled Ancient monument, County No 577. BOE p 223; M G V Balchin, The Cornish Landscape (1983), p 100; W G Hoskins, The Making of the English Landscapes (1977 edn), p 130 pl 30; Margaret Wood, The English Medieval House (1965) p 238; E M Jope Cornish Houses, 1400-1700 in E M Jope (ed), Studies in Building History (1961) pp 202-4: Information from owner, N H Burden Esq.

Listing NGR: SX3177978258