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…

The Church of St Buryan was mainly built in the 15th century, with some work possibly extending into the early 16th century. Parts of the north wall of the chancel survive from the 12th century, representing the earliest visible fabric of the church. Although restored in the 19th century, the building retains a strong medieval character. The church is constructed of granite ashlar and granite rubble, with dressed elvan stone incorporated into the early chancel wall. It has Delabole slate roofs with granite coped gables. The layout consists of a nave and chancel under a single roof, with north and south aisles, a south porch, and a prominent west tower. Most of the arcades and roof…