Description

SW 97 NE
4/277

ST MINVER
ST MINVER HIGHLANDS
Church of St Menefreda

(Previously listed as church of St. Minefreda)

6.6.69

GV
I
Parish church. Possible traces of C12 masonry in the north aisle and north wall of
chancel and fragment of C12 capital. Circa early C13 4-bay arcade to north aisle and
circa C15 south aisle and south porch. Tower and spire rebuilt during restoration of
1870-1875 by J. P. St. Aubyn.
Stone rubble. Roughly coursed and squared stone to south aisle with stepped
buttresses and moulded granite plinth. Ashlar stone to tower with granite dressings.
Regular slate roofs with nave and chancel in one. The roof of the nave is swept down
over the north aisles.
Of the C12 church the only evidence appears to be possible fragments of masonry in
the north walls of the north aisle and chancel and a fragment of C12 capital which
was discovered in 1927. The narrow north aisle was partly rebuilt in circa early C13
when the four bay arcade was constructed. In circa late C15 the 7 bay south aisle
was added together with the south porch and the west tower and spire were probably
constructed. During the 1870-75 restoration the east wall of the chancel was partly
rebuilt and refenestrated, a north transept was either added or rebuilt, the chancel,
nave, north and south aisles were re-roofed and the tower and spire were rebuilt.
West tower of three stages with stepped angle buttresses and stair tower in
projection on north side. C19 2-centred arch to west door and C19 Decorated
intersecting tracery in 5-light west window and 3-light belfry openings. The ashlar
stone broach spire with granite dressings rises 120' above ground level and leans
slightly; weather cock on top.
North aisle: 3 restored or renewed 2-light cusped mullion windows in rectangular
surrounds. North transept: C19 Geometric tracery in north window and reset circa C16
3-light mullion window on east side. Chancel: C19 3-light window with geometric
tracery. South aisle: 4-light east window and six 3-light south windows with circa
late C15 Perpendicular tracery. Contemporary C15 south porch with sundial (dated
1746) above C19 2-centred arched entrance; circa C15 waggon roof. The 2-centred
moulded free stone arch to south door with cavetto and roll mould appears of circa
late C14 in style. C19 south door.
Interior: Roofs replaced in C19 restoration; arch braced collar rafter roof with two
tiers of wind braces over nave and south aisle. Circa early C13 4-bay north arcade;
short thick octagonal piers with double chamfered 2-centred arches. Circa C15 7-bay
south arcade; standard type A (Pevsner) granite piers with 5 2-centred arches on west
and two bays with lower 4-centred arcade arches to east. Three piers with carved
capitals. Tower arch; 2-centred arch with double chamfer.
Complete set of bench ends in nave, circa 1530-40 (Pevsner); well carved with
Renaissance detailing; largely of secular subjects. Circa C19/C20 furnishings in
south aisle and C19 choir stalls in chancel. Circa C17 communion rails.
Remains of upper stage of rood loft stair in north wall of chancel. The circa C15
rood screen was removed in 1837 and part was reset below the tower arch. Although
heavily restored much of the Perpendicular tracery remains intact.
Circa C15 octagonal font of elvan stone with blind traceried panels on bowl and base;
lead lined. Circa C15 commandment boards in tower. Fragment of Norman capital found
in 1927 against west wall of south aisle.
Letter of thanks from King Charles, 1643 and painted Royal Arms dated CR 1660 at west
end of south aisle. Stocks of circa 1400 in south porch.
Stained glass; east window of south aisle by O'Connor, circa 1870, inscription 1867.
Monuments include brass of Roger Opry, (1517) in south aisle, monument to John Roe of
Trewornan (qv) (1657), classical monument to Thomas Darell (1697) remains of slate
altar tomb of Thomas Stone (1604) decorated with arms of Stone and Harris of Hayne
and C19 monuments of Sandys family.
Although restored in 1870-75 by J.P. St. Aubyn, St. Minver retains many of its early
fittings including a magnificent collection of bench ends. The spire, an unusual
feature in Cornwall, is an important landmark.

Maclean, Sir John Parochial and Family History of the Deanery of Trigg Minor
in the County of Cornwall, 1879, vol III
Pevsner, N and Radcliffe, E The Buildings of England, Cornwall 2nd edition, 1970
Church Guide
Sites and Monuments Register, Truro.

Listing NGR: SW9647777084

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17529685

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)