St Columb:
St Columb Major church is dedicated to St Columba. She is believed to have come over from Ireland, and she was martyred in Ruthvoes, where her Holy Well is. Columba in Latin, means “Dove”.
The site on which the church stands, has had a church of sorts, for at least 1000 years. The current church was erected in around the 12th century.
The current church was owned for a while by the Arundell family, who resided in the Vale of Lanherne.
The tower of the church is from around the 15th century, and is unique in a way as it has passage that runs through it South to North. This is because it was a right of way for the parish to the college, and the land around the tower belonged to the Arundell’s until 1820. The passage is wide enough for a cart to fit through.
The tower is approximately 80ft high (24m) and houses 8 bells. The tower is built in 3 stages, with battlements and pinnacles on the top.
Inside the church, on the NE side, there is a statue of St Columba.
There are numerous brass plaques inside the church too.
There is an octagonal font just inside of the door to the left.
As you wander up the aisles, on some of the pews, you will see some of them have carved bench ends, some of which date back to 1510.
The chancel arcades are of two arches, and the nave arcades of three pointed arches. Most of the stone is Pentewan stone, but Caen stone has also been used. The South aisle was formerly a chapel for the Arundell family.
There are no times displayed as to when the church is open, however the times I have been there, it has always been open.
I have decided to do the workings with two different methods. Method one is information collected inside the church, and method two from outside. This is because there are enthusiasts who enjoy the walk around the inside of the church, when it is open.
Method One: (Inside)
On your left as you walk in, behind the font is a wooden carving.
How many children in the arms of Mary? A
To the left of the door under the letter to the people of Cornwall, is a slate memorial to the RAF crews of a missing plane.
The number of crews lost = B
The dates on the memorial: Day = CC
Year = DEFF
Squadron Number? GH
Continue clockwise over to the corner with the statue of St Columba.
How many Saints are named on the window? J
Continue clockwise again to the old chapel area. Here you will see a granite table and wooden furniture piece.
How many coats of arms do you see? K
How many legs on the table? L
How many figures between the Coat of Arms? M
N: 50 B(G+H).A(F+C)H
W: 004 (J+D)(K-L).(E-M)(A+G+M)F
Method Two: (Outside)
The Lychgate.
Inside you will see a slate plaque. Date at bottom of this = PQRS
To the left of the gate is the War Memorial.
Number of men lost in The First Great War? TU
As you walk around the church, take note of the crosses on the peaks of the roof sections. How many in total around the church? V
Carry on around to the Tower.(This is where the headline coordinates are).
In the passage way there are W standing granite tall stones?
Carry on around clockwise, and you will see how many crosses on the wall above the door and window? X
Carry on a little further, and you will see some windows and faces (human and animal, I think)
How many windows? Y
How many faces? Z
N: 50 WZ.P(R+Y)(S-Z)
W: 004 T(P+U).(Q-X)(V-P)U
“If anybody would like to expand this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first at churchmicro@gmail.com so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page found via the Bookmark list”
Tree coverage may affect GPS coords. They were the same each time I went.
One of my P/T's for FTF