St Columba's Church, St Columb Major


St Columba's Church is a 14th-century, Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England Diocese of Truro in St Columb Major, Cornwall. In 1860 plans were drawn up by William Butterfield, in hope of St Columb church becoming the cathedral of the future diocese of Cornwall, but the cathedral was built at Truro. A second church dedicated to the same saint is known as St Columba's Church, St Columb Minor

History

The current church dates from the 13th to 15th centuries. The font is Norman and there are many good examples of woodcarving in the church: these include the bench ends dated 1510, the rood screen, wagon roofs, and a 19th-century carved wooden pulpit.
In 1676 three youths set fire to a barrel of gunpowder, killing themselves and causing £350 worth of damage to the church. Through public donations and a small parish rate the church was repaired within nine months.

Parish status

The church is in the Lann Pydar joint benefice with:
The organ dates from 1870 and was built by Bryceson & Ellis of Lincoln. A specification of the organ can be found in the National Pipe Organ Register.

Font

The octagonal stone font in south aisle, of circa 1300 with carved sides, including five men's faces, on stem with clustered outer shafts.

Bells

According to the National Bell register, there are eight bells dating from 1776 to 1950. The earliest bells are by J C & W Pennington of Exeter.. The later ones are by John Taylor & Co,. One bell from 1825 is by John Rudhall. The bells were overhauled in 1950 by Loughborough Bellfoundry. The heaviest of the bells is the tenor, which weighs 1404lb or 637kg.

Memorials

Some of the more interesting items are some fine monumental brasses and memorials, including:
The granite war memorial, erected in 1920, was designed to represent a classic Cornish cross. It names 55 men connected to the parish who lost their lives in the first and second world wars

Other features

There is a fine wooden screen by the architect George Fellowes Prynne and some exceptional oak benchends, dating as far back as 1510. The fine organ is by Bryceston Bros. & Ellis of London and a copy of the "Letter of Thanks" to the Cornish people sent by Charles I in 1643. There are also two sculptures by the artist Allan G. Wyon and a stained glass window portraying St Columba the Virgin. In the churchyard is St Columba's Cross.