Church Of St Merryn

The Church of St Merryn is a parish church dedicated to St Merryn, likely originating from the Norman period. It was extended in the 15th century and underwent restorations between 1887 and 1907, as well as in 1962. The church is constructed of stone rubble with slate roofs. Its plan reflects its Norman origins, featuring remnants of a Norman arch in the west tower. The north transept dates from the 13th century, while a 7-bay south aisle was added in the 15th century.

The exterior includes rebuilt quoins on the west tower from 1962, which has two stages and set-back corner buttresses. Atop the north buttresses are two 15th-century carved Catacleuse angel corbels that hold shields. The tower has a battlemented parapet with crocketed finials, a 15th-century moulded arch at the west door, a three-light Perpendicular west window, and two-light belfry openings. The south aisle features Catacleuse stone Perpendicular tracery with three-light windows, while the east windows have 19th-century Perpendicular tracery, and there is a 14th-century lancet window in the north transept.

Inside, the church has unceiled 15th-century waggon roofs with moulded ribs, carved wall plates, and bosses, alongside a simple ceiled chancel roof. The tower arch is chamfered and has a four-centred design. The 15th-century arcade leading to the south aisle consists of seven bays with type A piers and four-centred moulded arches made of Catacleuse stone. The furnishings are mainly from the 19th century, with remnants of a 16th-century bench end. A notable feature is the high-quality 15th-century Catacleuse stone font, which resembles one found in the Church of St Petroc in Padstow; it has a round bowl adorned with twelve carved figures of apostles and angels at the corners, supported by a round central shaft with four octagonal corner shafts. A plaster Royal coat of arms, created by John Abbot in 1662 for Thomas Peter of Harlyn House, was restored in 1981.

The church also contains monuments, including those of John Mitchell and family from 1617, William Trevathvan of Porthcothen from 1695, and Henry Peter from 1821. Additionally, there are stocks dated 1788 located in the porch.