Cornwall Churches Day
Our annual major fundraising event is Cornwall Churches Day. This is a celebration of churches and chapels across the county and we are keen for as many parishes as possible to get involved by holding a celebration event which encourages people to visit your church (and surrounding churches in the area!) Proceeds from these events are shared 50/50 with CHCT and the parishes.
We ask that for this one event each year you split the funds raised equally with the CHCT (50% each) and in return we will help you promote your events on our website and can provide templates for posters.
Sharing the funds raised between CHCT and your church both benefits your parish and also supports our vision of providing an insurance policy for when your parish church needs help for larger projects that seem overwhelming. The CHCT can offer local knowledge and often when they support an application larger more wealthy bodies are minded to follow suit.
A flower arrangement inspired by Damian Hirst at Withial
Exploring Meneage’s Medieval Churches
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 12th century although the current buildings are largely 15th and 16th 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 12th 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]
Bravo Maker with Rame!
Next CHCT Event
Garden Open 4.30pm &
Jazz at Garlenick 6pm 14th July
Kernow Chamber Players will perform a programme of two hugely charismatic jazz suites by the French composer, Claude Bolling: Suite 2 for flute and jazz piano trio and Toot Suite for trumpet and jazz piano trio.
Tickets £25 Adults /£6 Children includes pre-concert Pimms or soft drink
Buy here. Sponsored by Raymond James Truro
See Events Diary for the full list of events for 2026
In the meantime why not take a virtual trip around some of Cornwall’s historic churches here or if you fancy a day out why not try one of our Drive About Trails.
Next Community Event
This year CHCT is organising a joint fundraiser for all, Ride, Stride & Sail over the weekend 12/13th September. See here for details.
If your church is holding any event with proceeds split in aid of CHCT at any time let us know and we’ll advertise it here. Thank you.