Veryan, St Symphorian

Grid Ref SW916396

Green Lane, Veryan, Truro, TR2 5QB

St Symphorian

Veryan church has since the 13th. century been dedicated to a French martyr, St Symphorian, although the remains of at least one Celtic cross can be seen (part of a shaft by the war memorial, and a round head over the south porch), suggesting the earlier presence of Christian missionaries.

There are some Norman features: the carved faces (see photo) on the veryanstonecarvingsmall west porch, for example which may not belong but which may have been acquired in the 1830s from the ruined chapel of St Nun in Grampound. Early Gothic features include doorway arches and the tower. The late Gothic (c.1500) arcade of granite pillars have finely ornamented capitals in a softer stone. Many of the early roof timbers were retained when the church was restored in 1847. Two panels of the rood screen have survived and show symbols of the Passion. These include Judas’s 30 pieces of silver.

In 1897/8 the church was restored again, redecorated, and a harmonium installed. Brass lamps and stoves were fitted, and the ring of three bells increased to six. Later additions include the east window (1902), the organ (1913) and the refurbishment of the Lady Chapel in 1935. The modern light oak pews were installed in 1951.

Graveyard

Three generations of the Trist family were in succession vicars of Veryan and each made his mark on church and parish. John (1773-1781) installed two bells and planted many trees. His son, Jeremiah (1782-1829) established the parish schools, built five round cottages for his tenants, provided the church clock, and paid for many improvements to the fabric and furnishing. His son Samuel succeeded him in 1829 and was responsible for the 1847 restoration.

Interesting points:

* Several memorials recording donations for ‘Godly books’ for a school in Veryan opened in 1804, which met at first in the south transept

* Memorabilia from HMS Veryan Bay; for many years members of the ship’s Association made an annual visit for a memorial service

* Near the altar, the 1712 memorial to the 13-year-old son of Richard Trevanion, Governor of Pendennis Castle

Tower

* The tower, unusually on the south side of the church (most churches have west towers)

*What is reputedly the longest grave in the country, that of the 19 sailors drowned when the Hera was wrecked on the Gull Rock off Nare Head in 1914;

* The memorial in the churchyard to Philip Clear, described as ‘a Christian soldier’, who survived all the battles of the Peninsula Campaign during the Napoleonic wars; it is visited every year by his regiment’s re-enactment group

*The lodge of the former vicarage, which contains a rose window ‘rescued’ in the 1830s from St Nun’s chapel in Grampound, and which has to be returned should the building ever be demolished.

You will find in the church a more detailed guidebook to the building, a brief illustrated history of the ‘Hera’ wreck, and a booklet on Philip Clear, as well as a ‘Veryan walkabout’ leaflet .