St Ildierna's Church, Lansallos is a Grade I listed

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in community activities, ...

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 ...

Lansallos Lansallos ( la, Lansalux; kw, Lansalwys, meaning ''St Salwys' church'') is a village in the civil parish of Polperro in south Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated between Polruan and Polperro about 5 miles (8 km) east of Fowey ...

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 ...

, built in the early 14th Century. The church is noted for its 16th Century benches and bench ends. Serious damage was caused to the church, especially the roof, by a fire in 2005.

History

The church dates from 1331 when it was dedicated. The 15th Century chronicler

William Worcester William Worcester, also called William of Worcester, William Worcestre or William Botoner (1415) was an English topographer, antiquary and chronicler. Life He was a son of another William of Worcester, a Bristol whittawer (worker in white leather ...

, when visiting Fowey, recorded that the church contained the remains of St Hyldren, reputedly a

bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is c ...

; however documentary evidence indicates that the parish patron saint was female. St Hyldren's feast was February 1. The

advowson Advowson () or patronage is the right in English law of a patron (avowee) to present to the diocesan bishop (or in some cases the ordinary if not the same person) a nominee for appointment to a vacant ecclesiastical benefice or church living ...

was a rectory formerly belonging to the Hywysche family whose seat at "Rathwylle" (''Raphael'') had its own chapel, mentioned in 1332. The church was restored in 1883–84 and again in the early 20th century by

Edmund Harold Sedding Edmund Harold Sedding (1863 – 21 February 1921), often referred to as E. H. Sedding, was an English architect who practised in Devon and Cornwall. Life Sedding was born in 1863 in Pimlico, London, the son of Edmund Sedding and the nephew of ...

. The church's features of interest include the good carved wagon roofs, the square Norman font ornamented with a "tree of life", 16th-century benches and bench ends, of which 34 remain, and its Jacobean vestment cupboards. A rare contemporary slate memorial tablet survives, commemorating Margaret Smith (died 1579) and the work of the stonemason Peter Crocker. In 2005 a fire started in the northern aisle of the church, causing serious damage to the building. Margaret Smith memorial

Organ

The organ by Heard and Son is no longer present in the church. 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 ...

Gallery

File:St Ildierna's Church, Lansallos Exterior.jpg, Exterior View File:St Ildierna's Church, Lansallos Interior.jpg, St Ildierna's Church, Lansallos, Interior File:St_Ildierna's_Church,_Lansallos_BenchEnd1.jpg, 16th Century Bench End File:St Ildierna's Church, Lansallos BenchEnd2.jpg, 16th Century Bench End File:St Ildierna's Church, Lansallos.jpg, St Ildierna's Church, Lansallos, Exterior View

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lansallos Church of England church buildings in Cornwall Grade I listed churches in Cornwall St Ildierna's Church, Lansallos