Copyright © David Flower 2000-2016
Disclaimer: No part of this website may be reproduced, stored on a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written consent of tintagelweb.co.uk
(David Flower). You may however, download on to a personal computer owned or controlled by yourself and you may make
a single copy of any part of this publication, for your private use or study.
Tintagelweb, nor it's affiliates, are not liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of information or
material contained in the site or from your access to the web sites of customers or other material on the internet obtained via links
from this site.
TINTAGEL - KING ARTHUR COUNTRY
TINTAGEL WEB
History of St Pirans Chapel, Trethevy, Tintagel
The Chapel of St Piran At Trethevy
In May 1457, Parson Gregory had a licence to celebrate Mass in the Chapel of St Piran. This is the earliest
recorded mention of the Chapel's existence and it appears to be the building seen in the photographs. This
little building was certainly used for farm purposes since the Reformation but was at one time one of the
mediaeval chapels of the Parish. The meadow close by, Chapel Meadow, was named on the Tithe map and
it faces east. A small lancet window with a trefoil head remains in the east wall and what appears to be a
rough stone shelf or piscina, on the south side.
In 1941, Mr. Sidney Harris, the last owner of the building, gave it back to the Church. He remembered as a
boy, a massive altar-slab of greenstone in position and the floor of what would have been the chancel, was
a step higher than the rest of the floor. A hundred years ago the old arched oak door-frame of the South
door (now built up but traceable), was still to be seen. A stone coffin was found in July 1944 by Father
Arundell, who remarked "We have found a grave near the entrance. The body was buried with feet towards
the west."
The Chapel building was restored and brought back into use by the labours of Father Arundell and builder
George Climo. The first Mass was celebrated there on Sexagesima Sunday February 8th 1944 - on a bitterly
cold morning it was heard later that Sidney Harris, who had given back the building to the Church, had died
in hospital that very day.
Sadly in latter days in 1993, some disgusting thief stole the Roman Lamp. You should make a point of
visiting this lovely old building either as a visitor or a local resident.
(Most of the above information is taken from Father A.C.Canner's excellent book 'The Parish of Tintagel'.
Copies can still be obtained from H.C.Cook, Tintagel newsagent.
“It is an excellent history of Tintagel by a much loved Vicar, whom I was fortunate enough to have known so well. “
David Flower
Copyright © David Flower 2000-2016
Disclaimer: No part of this website may be reproduced, stored
on a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the written consent of tintagelweb.co.uk
(David Flower). You may however, download on to a personal
computer owned or controlled by yourself and you may make a
single copy of any part of this publication, for your private use
or study.
Tintagelweb, nor it's affiliates, are not liable for any direct,
indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of
information or material contained in the site or from your
access to the web sites of customers or other material on the
internet obtained via links from this site.
TINTAGEL - KING ARTHUR COUNTRY
History Of St Pirans Chapel,
Trethevy, Tintagel
The Chapel of St Piran At Trethevy
In May 1457, Parson Gregory had a licence to
celebrate Mass in the Chapel of St Piran. This is the
earliest recorded mention of the Chapel's existence
and it appears to be the building seen in the
photographs. This little building was certainly used
for farm purposes since the Reformation but was at
one time one of the mediaeval chapels of the Parish.
The meadow close by, Chapel Meadow, was named
on the Tithe map and it faces east. A small lancet
window with a trefoil head remains in the east wall
and what appears to be a rough stone shelf or
piscina, on the south side.
In 1941, Mr. Sidney Harris, the last owner of the
building, gave it back to the Church. He remembered
as a boy, a massive altar-slab of greenstone in
position and the floor of what would have been the
chancel, was a step higher than the rest of the floor.
A hundred years ago the old arched oak door-frame
of the South door (now built up but traceable), was
still to be seen. A stone coffin was found in July 1944
by Father Arundell, who remarked "We have found a
grave near the entrance. The body was buried with
feet towards the west."
The Chapel building was restored and brought back
into use by the labours of Father Arundell and
builder George Climo. The first Mass was celebrated
there on Sexagesima Sunday February 8th 1944 - on
a bitterly cold morning it was heard later that Sidney
Harris, who had given back the building to the
Church, had died in hospital that very day.
Sadly in latter days in 1993, some disgusting thief
stole the Roman Lamp. You should make a point of
visiting this lovely old building either as a visitor or
a local resident.
(Most of the above information is taken from Father
A.C.Canner's excellent book 'The Parish of Tintagel'.
“It is an excellent history of Tintagel by a much loved Vicar,
whom I was fortunate enough to have known so well. “
David Flower
