The Building

This 13th century church stands quite alone: visible for miles around, surrounded by disused runways of RAF St.Eval - an important coastal command airfield during the 1939-45 war. The splendid tower, 60 feet tall, was built during the summer of 1727, to replace an earlier tower that fell into disrepair in the mid 1600s. The church was enlarged in the mid 16th century and there is the remains of a medieval screen and an elaborately carved part of the Rood Screen base. The pulpit has been recently restored and the date 1638, together with the name of the Minister and Churchwardens can be seen on the base stringers. The Font is very plain and is from Norman times, as is one remaining window in the North wall. There are 23 carved bench-ends dating from the mid 16th century and at the back are 3 original pews.

The contribution of theRoyal Air Force to preserving and beautifying this ancient place of worship forms a fascinating chapter in the story of a building which goes back to Norman times, when the Church was first built on the site of a Celtic shrine. A very interesting church in an unlikely situation.