St Paul's Church, Charlestown

Charlestown became its own parish separate from St Austell in 1846, at a time when the village was experiencing an increase in its population due to local industrial activity. With services initially held in a room licensed for public worship near the Pier House Hotel, funds for a permanent church were raised by public subscription. In 1848, a plot of land was donated by the proprietors of Charlestown, while grants were received; £300 from the Church Building Commissioners, £250 from the Incorporated Society and £150 from the Exeter Diocesan Society. Owing to a lack of funds, the intended spire was not built as part of the original construction work. An appeal was launched in 1970, with A.…

St Paul's is built of granite stone, sourced from a quarry near Stenalees, with slate roofs, in the Early English style. Designed to accommodate 570 persons, it was built with a cruciform plan, made up of nave, north and south aisles, transepts, chancel, vestry and porch. The original pulpit and reading desk of carved oak was gifted by local residents, and the granite font gifted by T. G. Vawdrey. The pulpit was replaced with one donated by the Mothers' Union in 1933. The church organ is built by Messrs Hele & Co of Plymouth. The belfry of 1971-72 is made of reconstituted stone and contains six bells by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough. The spire is of glass reinforced plastic.