St. Uny, Lelant

The text below is from a non-copyrighted booklet picked up by Les Parsons in fall 1998 which he mailed to Jana - Special thanks to Les for making this side trip during his visit to Wales and Penzance even though his ancestors never lived in Lelant. His contributions are greatly appreciated! While this booklet was written in 1951 - most of the descriptions are of the church as it was when our ancestors attended St. Uny, Lelant

"A Short Description of St. Uny, Lelant"

by The Rev. E. T. Davies-Freme, F.G.S., hon. C. F. Vicar. 1951

Lelant Church

No evidence of the original building can be found, and therefore, the exact date is unknown, and we are obliged to rely on traditions. It has been stated that this Church was once the centre of a much more densely populated parish than now, and that Lelant has been a busy commercial port. The Church apparently was built on solid rock, then the sand encroached and old Lelant, including the Church, was overwhelmed by sand drift, until arrested by the sowing of the Arundo Arenaria or sand rush.

Traditions are extant that buried towns lie beneath some of the sand dunes. There is evidence that there is a certain amount of truth in some of the legends, for at Lelant, when cutting the branch railway from St. Erth to St. Ives, a number of skeletons of the Iverian type were discovered, thus proving that the district was peopled in prehistoric times.

The original Church may have been built by St. Uny, who came as a Missionary from Ireland in the sixth Century, and 600 years later the Normans built a Church here with a West Tower and North Aisle, of which two circular piers with escalloped capitals remain. The Church of Lelant enjoys the distinction of having been the original Mother Church of St. Ives and Towednack which were carved out of Lelant in the fifteenth century and recently Carbis Bay has become a separate parish.

According to the late Canon Doble, Lelant is a 16th century corruption of LAN-ANTA. Lan means a Monastery and Anta is the name of a Saint. Another tradition asserts that the name Lelant is derived from Lanent, one of the fifty saintly children of good King Brechan, but I prefer 'LANNANT' - The Valley Church. The parish church of Lelant is not dedicated to the eponym of the Lan, but to another Saint called Uny. His feast is on February 1st, probably the date of his martyrdom, and he was buried in the Church which then stood here or nearby. He was the brother of St. Ia and St. Erth.

The Font. Norman, dating from the second half of the 12th Century. Found in a farmyard and restored in 1889.

Nave. Note Norman pillars and arch of earlier Church. Westward is an acutely pointed arch of 13th Century. The rest of the Church is "perpendicular" date, 1454. The Staircase to a Rood Screen can be seen in North wall near the pulpit. Note the base of the pillar East of the Norman arch, of cataclew stone.

Altar and Sanctuary. Reredos contain Crucifixion with our Lord's Mother and the beloved disciple, flanked by the saints from Ireland, Ergh, Winwalloe, Ia, Anta, Phillack and Uny, who introduced Christianity here in Century VI.

The Altar Frontal. Designed and painted by a lady artist. The presentation of the Shepherds and Magi to the Infant Christ.

In the South Aisle. The Lady Chapel was restored and beautified in 1924 in commemoration of the quincentenary of the consecration of the Church. The Jacobean Altar was replaced and restored to its sacred purpose after having been used as a writing table in the vestry for many year.

The South Aisle windows, typically Cornish, are ancient and very beautiful examples of the latter part of the 15th Century. The graceful sweep of their arches and the sweetness of line due to the tracery being set on a different level from them show the work of a master hand.

In the North Aisle wall is a very fine late 15th Century doorway of "catacleuse stone" - grey rock. The West and four North windows are modern. The two stained glass windows were erected in 1949, one in memory of those who gave their lives in the 1939-45 War, and the other in memory of William and Mary Prowse Simmons and their daughter Ida. But the East is original. The east window of the high chancel is modern. Over the North Aisle and the Nave are some parts of old roofs incorporated into new, but over the South Aisle most of the mediaevel timbers remain.

The Window of St. George contains the names of the Lelant men, with the emblems of the regiments, who gave their lives in the first World War, 1914-1918. The window is flanked by a framed illuminated roll of all who served from the parish, the names of those who made the supreme sacrifice being inscribed in gold.

A List of Previous Vicars hangs near the door; and near the Font there is a Window of St. Christopher, in memory of Harry Sparks, who perished on 23rd June, 1923, after the wreck of the s.s. Trevessa in the Indian Ocean. He died in one of the boats belonging to the ship in which members of the crew had been drifting for several weeks.

In the Porch a Holy Water Stoup, recently restored. Above the doorway there is a niche, probably once occupied by a statue, now filled by a sun-dial of bronze, representing Time an Death, date early 18th century.

Some years ago there were said to be fragments of the old Rood Screen in the Church, but none are known now. The stairway to the Rood loft is in the North wall. Against this same wall is a copy of King Charles the Martyr's letter of thanks to the Cornish people for their unswerving loyalty.

Before leaving the Church, the 17th Century slate tombs at the West end of the South Aisle should be noted. One of them is to a member of the Praed family, lords of the Manor, but better known by the London street called after them. The other is to Stephen Pawley, 1635.

There are six bells (date 1836). Two of them are inscribed:

1. Obey our call, the right, the good, old way, Shun Schism's wiles, nor from it ever stray.

2. Glory be to God on high, The day of rest again comes round, A day to all believers dear, The silver trumpets loudly sound, That call the tribes of Israel near, The people all obey the call And in Jehovah's courts appear.

In the Graveyard are two ancient Cornish Crosses.

Vicars of St. Euny Lelant

(with Chapelries of Towednack and St. Ives).

Sir Walter called Gascoyn,

Robert de Littlebery,

Sir Amand de Cambron, instituted 20 Nov., 1281 (Reg. Quivil, 115).

(“Thomas, Presbiter,” mentioned in 1306).

Master Robert le Seneschal, insitituted 20 April, 1310 (Reg. Stapeldon, 49b).

Master Gilbert de Cornubia, deacon, instituted 5 June, 1311 (ibid. 62b, 228)

Sir Walter de Haydore, instituted 14 July, 1342 (Reg. Grandisson III., 47b. He exchanged with

Sir Robert de Maunnesfelde, instituted 27 June, 1344 (ibid. III., 51b)

Sir Nicholas Penferne, instituted 5 March, 1348-9 (ibid. III,. 74). On his resignation

Sir Laurence de Trenemythe, instituted 4 April, 1350 (ibid. III 90). On his death

Thomas Lammanva, instituted 10 October, 1376 (Reg. Brantyngham II., 43b) He exchanged with

Sir John Clerk, instituted 25 October, 1393 (ibid. 144). On his death

John Bryt, chaplain, instituted 10 June, 1416 (Reg. Stafford II., 176b)

Sir Richard Tresaghere, occurs 28 July, 1432 (Reg. Lacy II,. (I) fol. 21. He was vicar before 1428.

(In 1427 Sir Richard Tresare, Vicar of Lananta, had a general license to celebrate anywhere in his parish). He exchanged with

Sir John Clogge, Vicar of Varyan, instituted 23 February, 1432-3 (Reg. Lacy II. (I) fol. IIIb, vol. x) On his resignation (his name then spelt Clocke).

Master Stephen Lanyvery, collated 30 April, 1440 (ibid. fol. 190a). He was a Penitentiary in 1442, and in 1447 is called “Mr. Stephen Lanryvery.”

Master John Pacaw, institution not recorded but on his resignation

Master John Carew (or Carow), bachelor in decrees, was instituted 3 Dec., 1491 (Reg. Fox, vol. xii., fol. 116 of 2^nd foliation).

James Gentell (also called Jentle), bachelor in decrees, occurs in 1504. He was provost of Glasney College, Penryn from 1526 till his death. Exchequer Lay Subsidies Cornwall 87-122. (A James Gentell was a Dean of Crantock in 1536). On his death (12, April, 1546)

George Mason was instituted 23 April, 1546 (Reg. Vesey I., fol. 119a) On his resignation (with pension of 40/-)

Master Gabriel Mortone was instituted 18 September, 1548 (ibid. I., 130b, vol. xiv.)

Sir Nicholas Knewstubbe, clerk, collated 1555. On his resignation

Sir Nicholas Kemes, instituted 8 October, 1557 (Reg. Turberville xviii., fol. 25a). On his resignation

Robert Stowford was instituted to “Lanante and capella de St. Eyes,” 1 September, 1576 (Reg. Bradbridge, vol. xx., fol. 29a). On his death

John Bagwell was instituted 13 July, 1596 (ibid. xxi., 61a). On his cession (11 Sept., 1601)

Thomas Masters, B.A., was instituted 10 October, 1601 (ibid. 73a). On his death

Robert Chollocombe was instituted 4 March, 1605-6 (ibid. 83b). On his resignation

Nichodemus Pestle (or Pestell) was instituted 5 Dec., 1611 (ibid. fol. 96b). On his death

John South, M.A. was instituted 8 Feb., 1622-3 (ibid. 118a). On his resignation

Thomas Currey, M.A., was instituted 16 March, 1630-1 (Reb. Hll I., 24b, vol. xxii.) He was still vicar in August, 1638* (* - The history of the Church during the Commonwealth has not been ascertained.)

Robert Fowler, M.A., was instituted 31 December, 1660 (Reg. K.S., vol. I., p.2).

William Bridgewater was instituted 23 May, 1662 (ibid. p. 34). On his resignation

John Bullocke was instituted 12 Nov., 1662 (ibid. p. 41). On his death

John Hawkyns was instituted 7 July, 1676 (Reg. K.S. vol. ii., p. 65). On his cession

William Polkinghorne was instituted 1 March, 1705-6 (Reg. Vol. iv., p. 141). On his death

William Shepheard was instituted 1 July, 1726 (Reg. Vol. vi., p. 42). On his cession

William Symonds was instituted 16 October, 1727 (ibid. p. 57).

George Rhodes instituted 27 April, 1776 (Reg. Vol. ix., p. 145). On his cession

Cornelius Cardew was instituted 5 Feb., 1782 (ibid. p. 190).

Vicars of Lelant and Towednack.

(St. Ives having been constituted a separate benefice in 1826).

On the death of Cardew (17 Sept., 1831)

William John Phillpotts was instituted 4 Nov., 1831 (ibid. vol. xii., p. 66). On his cession

Uriah Tonkin was instituted 9 October, 1832 (ibid. p. 76). On his death

Richard Frederick Tyacke was instituted 24 February, 1869 (Reg. Vol. xiv., p. 35). On his death (3^rd Dec., 1901)

William Reid Erskine was instituted 21 February, 1902 (Truro Reg. Of Institutions No. 2, vol. 35b).

(Towednack was constituted a separate benefice in 1903, and the first Vicar of Lelant only was)

William Reid Erskine.

Arthur Greig Chapman was instituted in 1917, resigned 1928

Cyril Lancelot Thorold Barclay was instituted 10 August 1928, exchanged 1935 with

William Montgomerie McWatters, instituted 13 Sept., 1935 exchanged 1942 with

Evan Thomas Davies-Freme, instituted 24 Nov., 1942

In the Middle Ages there was a large staff of clergy in our Cornish parishes. When we look at the list of clergymen assessed for taxation in the Valor of 1537, we are surprised at the very large number of parishes, sometimes quite small country parishes where there were two or even more priests. There were two at Lelant in 1537, and four in St. Ives. The Reformation, by destroying the Chantries and confiscating other pious foundations, sadly reduced their number. By 1600 very few parishes had more than one.

I have found the names of some of the assistant curates of Lelant.

In 1449 “Baldwin William, priest of Lanant,” is mentioned in a list of priests “commorantes” in Cornwall, paying the subsidy of 6/8.

1516 sir Droco Williams, curate of Lalent.

William Tyrriffe, chaplain, mentioned in 1520.

In 1537 “D. Jacobus Champyon, curate,” was assessed at 22d

1556 Sir John Toker, curate of Lalant.

1630 Thomas Curry

In 1812 and 1821 the Vicar was non-resident. Mr. John Peter was “curate” and supplied his place, and Mr. Henry Tonkin in 1821.

THE SIX BELLS ARE TO BE RESTORED WITHIN TWO YEARS AND 500 POUNDS IS NEEDED. ANY GIFTS WILL BE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED BY THE VICAR.

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