Porthleven
19th Century                             St Bartholomew                                    Unlisted

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On this virtual tour of the Church we will enter it by the south door, which has a rounded Norman style arch and leads into the Baptistry. (This was built in 1891,  as part of a thorough renovation of the Church, in memory of John Jope Rogers who died April 24^th 1880.)

 Here is the great granite font dating from 1842. It is some 3 feet square and 18 inches deep, set on four pillars upon a squared granite plinth, thus being about 4 feet high overall. Behind it are two granite steps which the priest mounts when performing a baptism, so that he stands looking down through the Church to the High Altar, while behind him the seven-light window in the rounded west wall, and the great Easter candle. The north door is no longer in use, it being hidden from view by the notice and display board. On the right-hand wall by the door is a stoup for holy water, and a prayer desk and chair are also provided.

Between the Baptistry and the main body of the Church is a screen, consisting of double doors of light oak with glass panels and a semi-circular fan light above continuing the rounded arch design that predominates in much of the Church’s interior. Engraved on the central glass panel above the doors is a dove of peace, one of the many beautiful additions that have been made to this building over the years in memory of loved ones.

 The tiled flooring of the Baptistry is repeated down the central aisle, along which we proceed to approach the Chancel. Above it is the Hanging Rood, in the form of a huge polished wooden anchor. Its central portion is the basis of a crucifix, while on the points of the anchor are the figures of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and of St John, the beloved disciple, keeping faithful vigil beside Our Lord on the Cross. It is an impressive piece of craftsmanship that has graced this building for the past eighty years, and whose design is particularly appropriate for a seaside parish.

 The choir stalls are of oak, and a screen of wrought iron work surmounted by a brass rail sets them apart from the central worship area. Behind those on the left is the Wyvern organ. Beyond them, marble steps lead to the High Altar, which is made of alabaster and was brought to Porthleven from the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Teddington, in the 1970s. The reredos is of painted stone, with three arched niches; in the central one is the figure of Christ the Eternal Priest, on the right a figure of St Elvan and on the left one of St Bartholomew.

The East window commemorates the untiring work of Revd T L William among the sick of the parish during the epidemic of diphtheria that spread through Porthleven in 1884. His own daughter was among those who died, and the processional cross used regularly here in worship was given by him in memory of her. Those attending Mass on certain festivals will see another item of historical interest in use. This is a fine silver thurible, given to the Church in memory of a lady who had been lady-in-waiting to Princess Marie-Louise, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

A rounded arch separates the Sanctuary from the Chancel, and from the ceiling hang seven lamps of polished brass and red glass. These oriental-style lamps came from Jerusalem, and represent the “seven lamps of fire burning before the Throne of God, which are the seven Spirits of God.” (Revelation 4.5). To the left of the arch is the Church banner, bearing the emblem of St Bartholomew – three knives, the instruments of his martyrdom when he was flayed alive.

 Moving to the left we see the pulpit, which is on a rounded base of painted stone and has a wrought ironwork surround which matches the adjacent chancel screen.

 There is a triple archading of granite between the Church and the Lady Chapel, which is rectangular with a panelled apse. At the rear of the Chapel (the western end) is an oak pew with carvings representing local fishing and farming interests on its frontal, and commemorative slate tablets on the wall behind it remind us that this Lady Chapel was given by Captain and Mrs J L Rogers of Penrose as a memorial to their parents.                               

This is a simply furnished Lady Chapel, with an atmosphere of tranquillity. There are three windows on the north side. On the centre sill stands a figure of St Joseph,The rounded apse at the eastern end has a pale blue ceiling which gives it an air of spaciousness – particularly when illuminated. Beneath it is an altar with plain wooden furnishings, in contrast to those of gleaming brass on the High Altar. Oil paintings in gilded frames from Penrose House and figures of the Virgin and Child provide colour and an indefinable feeling of warmth. There is a carved chair and lectern, and a wrought iron votive stand. As in the main church area, wooden chairs provide the seating.

The design of the kneelers, by Maurice Bellinger, was inspired by the Hanging Rood  This is an on-going project, begun in 1993, that has involved many members of the congregation and the wider community.

 Leaving the Lady Chapel we move back into the Church, where we can view the fourteen hand-painted Stations of the Cross – five on the north side, four on the west and five on the south. (Donated by Mrs M A Rogers in August 1924) These are of Flemish design, and feature the events of Our Lord’s last walk from Pilate’s Judgment Hall to Calvary. In the weeks prior to Good Friday they are the focus for prayerful meditation on the story of His Crucifixion.

Passing the last Station we are again near the Chancel. On the right is the door of the Choir Vestry and Kitchen area. From this there is a passage way leading to the Priest’s Vestry and a flight of stairs up to St Elvan’s Room which was built in 1995 and is used for various meetings and by the Sunday Club during part of Sunday Morning Mass. The Screen and Choir Stalls were placed in the Church in memory four members of the Rogers family. Mawgan-in-Meneage Church has Font as a Memorial to the same four children.

Looking across to the north wall we have a good view of two fine memorial windows in stained glass, dated 1884 and 1904. As we move across the centre aisle again, on our left is the brass lectern, now over a hundred years old, which is used each Sunday for the Ministry of the Word and Intercessions. Before leaving the Church, we should also notice the two striking stained glass windows high on the west wall, depicting St Barnabas and St Bartholomew and emphasising the apostolic tradition of our faith.

The Legilium  was given by Mona Hooper in memory of her husband Gerry. The fall embroidered all in silk French Knots on hessian, depicts a Cornish Cross, and was a focal point in the first 125 Exhibition in Truro Cathedral visited by H.M. the Queen.

 The three Sedilia were made and carved by Doug Pawlby and their cushions embroidered by Jenny Ripley and Gwenda Toy.

 We leave the Church having seen evidence of Christian witness and service since the consecration  on 3^rd August 1842.