St Buryan's Church

A church has occupied this site since the early 10th century. According to tradition, King Athelstan prayed at a chapel dedicated to Saint Buriana around 930 during his campaign in Cornwall and later endowed a collegiate church on the site. Little survives from this early phase, but the church was enlarged and formally dedicated in 1238 by Bishop William Brewer. By the late 15th century the medieval church had fallen into disrepair, and extensive rebuilding followed. Much of the present fabric dates from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The prominent west tower was completed in 1501 and stands approximately 92 feet (28 m) high. It is constructed of finely worked granite from nearby…