On Easter Monday the four Medieval churches of the Meneage were open for exploration.  These churches are all listed buildings (Mawgan {pictured}, Manaccan and St. Anthony Grade 1 and St. Martin Grade 2) and can all trace their origins back to the 12^th century although the current buildings are largely 15^th and 16^th century.    Last October Dr. Joanna Mattingly, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and member of the Diocesan Advisory Committee, came out to look at the churches and advise on their architecture and since then the congregations have been researching the histories of the churches to put together the tour.
It is not only the craftsmanship of the actual buildings and the beauty of the windows, statuary, memorials and so on, but the history of the people and events they have witnessed that make them such important and fascinating places and, of course, for most of the last eight centuries they have played a central part in village life.
To highlight just a few key events; In the 12^th century St. Martin applied to the Pope to have its own graveyard as it was difficult to carry coffins across the creeks and bridges and up and down the steep hills for burial at Mawgan, the “mother” church.  Mawgan has a sanctuary roof carved by the Pinwill sisters in the late 19th century.   Titanium – originally known as Manaccanite – was discovered in 1791 by clergyman William Gregor in a stream at Manaccan and St. Anthony witnessed the last battle of the English Civil War.
In addition to the history, artist Zoe Freeman had lent a beautiful painting for display in St. Martin, the many literary links that the area has were celebrated and books by some of the local authors were for sale.   The bells were rung at Manaccan, St. Anthony and Mawgan, there was music at St. Martin and Manaccan (as well as the display commemorating the 130 year history of Manaccan School) and Sue Garland spent some time in the afternoon sketching for her new book about churches.  Inevitably there were plenty of refreshments available at each church. And if that wasn’t enough, the sun shone!
Lindsay Hockley Mawgan Churchwarden
[Ed: CHCT are extremely grateful for the donation of £348 from the four churches]