|
Gunwalloe |
||
|
The location of the church at Gunwalloe remains remarkably unspoiled; it is probably best approached on foot from the parking place on the cliffs above Poldhu Cove. Then the tiny church can be seen, its tower separated from it and apparently sprouting out of the cliff which for centuries has protected it, and the sandy cove.
|
||
|
Click on thumbnails to see larger pictures
The slate tower is from an older church, and is built into the rock. It is two storeyed, with a pyramidal roof and no buttresses.
The entrance is by the south porch - notice the panelled door jambs, and the good original woodwork in the roof. ST WINWALOE He was born in Brittany in the 6th Century, coming to Cornwall and living in a cell in the shelter of Castle Hill. He is known in France as Guenole, and it was he who founded the monastery at Landevennec in Brittany, a place with which the Diocese of Truro is forging stronger links. In Cornwall there are 4 other churches and 2 chapels dedicated to his memory. There are two Fonts at St Winwaloe’s. The one on the right is early Norman dating from about 1100, but somewhat restored. The broad arrows are a frequently found symbol for the Holy Trinity - Father Son and Holy Spirit. The second font at the west end of the central aisle, in front of the war memorial, is a granite octagonal bowl dating from the 13th Century - both are used for baptisms.
|
The Church of the Storms, as some describe it, was founded by St Winwaloe. Of the original, 5th century, place of worship nothing remains, though there is documentary evidence of its subsequent history. The detached tower is probably 13th century and the present main building is mainly 15th Century, much restored by Edmund Sedding in 1869, after very severe storm damage. Much work has been done in recent years to repair, renovate and restore the whole place which exercises a strong attraction for the many visitors who make their way here, and for whose generosity the church is most grateful.
In the churchyard, as the south eastern corner of the church is an early cross which originally guided pilgrims across the stream. The rectangular base is now on the left hand side of the sea path. At the end of this is the beach site of the holy well, still revealed by aerial photography, but now engulfed by the sand. The church is in continual danger from cliff erosion, but continues to witness to the Christian Gospel as it has done since the 6th century.
Places which have many visitors passing through them can easily lose their atmosphere of worship, but Gunwalloe retains its simplicity and appeal as a place of prayer. Clean lines and plenty of light accentuate the simple features; the recently restored Victorian stained glass is unobtrusive.
One of the greatest glories of Gunwalloe is to be found on the interior of the south door from the porch, and the north door opposite it. Two parts of the early 16th Century Rood Screen , in very good condition are preserved, showing painted figures of Apostles below some beautifully flamboyant carved tracery. The screen was made from wreckage of The St Anthony of Lisbon which was wrecked here in 1527 - the wreck predates The Mary Rose and has been found off Fishing Cove.
The Apostles can be identified by the symbols usually associated with them. On the South door are St James the Less (fuller’s club) St Matthew (money bay) St Simon the Zealot (saw) and St Matthias, (axe). On the North door St Peter (key) St Andrew (saltire cross X) St James the Great (shell) St John (cup and dragon). The interior of the North door shows the second section of the old Rood Screen. The painted panels were sympathetically restored in 1977 and probably originated in Iberia. On the outside of this doorway is a holy water stoup recess. There are two identical aisles of five bays with standard Cornish piers (pillars) plain capitals and little decoration Note the carving in the wall places in the north aisle . The Chapel in this aisle is dedicated to the souls of the faithful departed; the wooden altar has a top of Cornish granite which came from the village Mission Room chapel. Beside the altar is a piscine - the washing up bowl for the vessels used at Holy Communion.
The parclose screens, stalls benches and oak pulpit are all 19th Century and were made by Reeds of Exeter. The High Altar, in the Chancel, is by Sir Ninian Comper; behind it, the stained glass represents the Sacred Heart of Jesus with St Luke and St John. All of the windows have been undergoing restoration, begun in 1989.
The carving of the roof timbers in the south aisle is original and shows some fine detail. The old stairway to the Rood Screen, of which the painted panels were a part, dates from the 14th Century. Also in the South aisle are the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed in Cornish and the Breton fisherman’s prayer.
|
|
