LANLIVERY

Tower Bells

Situated approximately in the centre of Cornwall, the parish of Lanlivery encompasses an area of around 5 - 6,000 acres, but being mainly agricultural its resident population on the electoral roll is little more than 300. Sloping gently south from 650 feet inland to around sea level at its most southerly boundary, the parish straddles the old prehistoric trans-peninsula trade route and its modern counterpart the A390, one of the two main trunk roads into the county.

The ancient trackway, now known as the Saints Way and joining the coastal ports of Padstow in the north and Fowey in the south, passes through the parish.

The village itself is central to the Parish and from most approach roads the tall granite tower of its church is a prominent feature of the landscape. Most easily reached from the A390 from midway between the towns of Lostwithiel and St. Blazey, the village is small by modern comparison.

The three main buildings dominated by, and adjoining the church tower, are the Primary School, constructed in the 1870s, The Crown Inn of 13th Century origin and the complex of Churchtown Farm Field Studies Centre, founded by the then Spastics Society in the 1970s. A few late 18th century cottages and a cluster of modern houses complete the environs of the village.

The present church was built in the 14th century and consists of a nave, an aisle and north and west transepts, the latter being the tower housing the peal of eight bells, the heaviest of which is the tenor bell at just under eighteen hundredweight

The tower, at 97 feet in height, is considered the third highest church tower in Cornwall. Visible from well out at sea in the St. Austell Bay area it is believed, at one period in its history, to have been used as a Landmark by ships plying the coastal waters.


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Recently restored (1993), the church has many memorials to the Kendall Family, who for several centuries resided at the family house of Pelyn Manor in the wooded lower reaches of the south eastern corner of the parish. Originally caretakers of Restormel Castle near Lostwithiel for the Black Prince in the 13th century, the family occupation of Pelyn and its connections with the parish only ceased in 1993 with the death of the owner. Until boundary changes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Restorrnel Castle lay within the administrative area of the Parish of Lanlivery.

The Kendall family held prominent positions over the centuries, being at one time masters of the Cinque Ports, Members of Parliament and on many occasions holding the position of Parish Priest. Of Royalist sympathies during the Civil War of 1642 46, Colonel Nicholas Kendall is recorded as having led a Troop of King's men into Bodmin, where they succeeded in routing a band of Parliamentarian Troopers who were raiding the County Capital. A short time later he lost his life in the siege before Bristol. During the recent restoration hitherto unknown Kendall burials were found beneath the church floor.

The church itself dates mostly from the 14th century but during the restoration work, the remains of a small north tower beyond the north transept discovered, being of an earlier date, possibly 12th or 13th century, perhaps Norman. It was probably demolished prior to the building of the present church, the material being incorporated into the present building.

Lying in the churchyard, some ten metres from the south porch and the main doer, is a large stone coffin, hewn from a single piece of granite. Historians of the 17th century recorded it as having been found beneath the floor of the north transept chapel. There is no record of when it was found but possibly during excavation for a Kendall burial ? One early historian speculated that it could have held the remains of a prominent Norman, following the connection of the Parish with Restormel Castle. Certainly it could have been in situ at that time and contemporary with the early Norman Tower and its dating. It has been suggested recently that the coffin should be brought back into the church because of its link with the earliest known part of the church as it stands today

The restoration completed in 1993 was a major event in the history of the Parish Church. Its roof, the main cause for concern, has been completely renovated. Rotting timber roof trusses were replaced by modern replicas, roof slates were removed and renewed and lead valleys replaced. The exterior pointing of the tower was removed and redone. The interior walls were taken back to the granite and re-rendered During this process a small alcove was discovered in the north wall. It was empty with no indication as to its original purpose. It may have concealed a casket of revered remains in mediaeval times or possibly documentation connected with the original building of the church, later removed ? Before replastering, a time capsule recording the restoration and contemporary documentation was placed in the cavity for the information of parishioners in the distant future

The church is dedicated to St. Brevita but there is a distinct probability that this is a later dedication as was often the case with early Christian churches.


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