St Hermes’ Church, St Erme is a Grade II* listed parish church in the

Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Britai ...

Diocese of Truro in

St Erme St Erme ( kw, Egloserm (village), Pluw Erm (parish)) is a civil parishes in England, civil parish and village in Cornwall, England, in the United Kingdom. The parish of St Erme, has a population of approximately 1200. This had increased to 1,36 ...

Cornwall Cornwall (; kw, Kernow ) is a historic county and ceremonial county in South West England. It is recognised as one of the Celtic nations, and is the homeland of the Cornish people. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic ...

, England, UK.

History

Gilbert Hunter Doble Gilbert Hunter Doble (26 November 1880 – 15 April 1945) was an Anglican priest and Cornish historian and hagiographer. Early life G. H. Doble was born in Penzance, Cornwall, on 26 November 1880. His father, John Medley Doble, shared his enthus ...

suggested that the original dedication to a local saint Erme had been changed at a later date to the Greek

saint Hermes Saint Hermes, born in Greece, died in Rome as a martyr in 120, is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. His name appears in the ''Martyrologium Hieronymianum'' as well as entries in the ''Depositio Martyrum ...

. (Doble preached on the parish feast 28 August 1934 and enlarged versions of his sermon were then published in ''Laudate'' vol. xii and as no. 35 of the ''Cornish Saints Series''.} The church was rebuilt in 1819-20 by

John Foulston John Foulston (1772 – 30 December 1841) was an English architect who was a pupil of Thomas Hardwick and set up a practice in London in 1796.Peter Leach, ''Foulston, John (1772–1841)'', rev., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford Un ...

(apart from the tower which is medieval) for the Revd. Cornelius Cardew. The church was later restored in 1906. The tower was restored with new floors and beams and a new lead roof, and the pinnacles were reset. The bells were recast and increased in number to form a new peal of six. A new south doorway was built of Polyphant stone, and new doors of solid oak were installed. New windows were inserted into the belfry, the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Truro Cathedral. The font is Norman and there is a brass of 1596 to Robert Trencreek and family. According to Charles Henderson "The long incumbencies of two wealthy and scholarly rectors in the 18th century reduced the fabric of the church to such a ruinous condition that it had to be rebuilt in 1820, when a new plan was unhappily chosen. Efforts were made to reconcile this with older work in 1908." Cornelius Cardew (d. 1831) served as curate and as rector of the parish altogether for 60 years and his portrait is in the church. Two Trethewy Monuments

In the churchyard, approximately 5 Metres South Of Tower, lie the Grade II listed buildings of Two Trethewy Monnuments. The First of which is dedicated in memory of Catherine the daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Trethewy who departed this life the 29th July 1792. The second of which is dedicated to the memory of Anthony Trethewy who departed this life on the 6th day of August 1799. Also Elizabeth Trethewy, who departed on the 7th May 1805. Also Anthony the son of Anthony and Elizabeth Trethewy, who departed this Life on the 2nd of July 1801. Also Amy the daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Trethewy who departed this life on the 28th July1804.

Parish status

The church is in a joint parish with *

St Crida's Church, Creed St Crida's Church, Creed is a Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England Diocese of Truro in Creed, Cornwall, England, UK. History The church of St Crida was of Norman foundation but in its existing form is more or less of the 15th cen ...

*St Nun's Church,

Grampound Grampound ( kw, Ponsmeur) is a village in Cornwall, England. It is at an ancient crossing point of the River Fal and today is on the A390 road west of St Austell and east of Truro.Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 204 ''Truro & Falmouth'' ...

St Ladoca's Church, Ladock St Ladoca's Church, Ladock, is a Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England Diocese of Truro in Ladock, Cornwall, England, UK. History The parish church of St Ladoca has a fine west tower built of granite blocks. The north side of ...

* St Probus and St Grace's Church, Probus

Organ

The church had an organ by

Hele & Co Hele & Co (also known as Hele & Sons) were the main organ builders in the south west of England from 1865 to 2007.''The Freeman-Edmonds Directory of British Organ Builders''; by Andrew Freeman & Bernard Edmonds. 2002 History The company was fo ...

dating from 1927. A specification of the organ can be found on the

National Pipe Organ Register The British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) is a British organisation and registered charity which aims to promote study and appreciation of all aspects of the pipe organ. Further, it acts as a lobbying body to raise awareness of organ issue ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Erme

National Heritage List for England Buildings and structures in Cornwall