St Nun Pelynt

Pelynt is a thriving village with a growing population. It is bounded on the east by the beautiful deeply wooded valley of the West Looe River which offers some beautiful walks. The village is well served by a variety of shops, doctor’s surgery, pharmacy, pub, social club and village hall, with a plethora of clubs and activities. St Nun is a Grade One listed church and is central to the village. Over the summer months we hold a series of outdoor services which have included Rogation, Pets Service, the Blessing of the Scarecrows, Equestrian Service and the Blessing of the Tractors where our younger friends explore the tractors following the service.

We have a monthly Songs of Praise Service and a more formal Holy Communion Service. For over twenty years there has been a very close connection with the Methodist Church with two united services held each month and reciprocal delegates sitting on each other’s committees. There is a broad section of services on offer to cater for the varied needs of the community from young and old and those in the middle. There is also active support and participation in all fundraising and social events.

We have a very close relationship with our school with assemblies taken by the Rector on a monthly basis. He has the opportunity in the summer term of conducting a cricket afternoon for all the juniors and helps with sport throughout the year. Open the Book, Experience events, visits to Church for major events and services, as well as help and guidance in delivering the curriculum are all part of the churches plan. The Rector’s wife and Church Warden are both governors of the school. Pelynt’s most famous son is Bishop Jonathan Trelawny who was imprisoned in the Tower of London for the religious stand he and seven other bishops took against King James II. He is buried in the family vault beneath the Trelawny Aisle, and the ‘Song of the Western Men’ – usually referred to as just ‘Trelawny’ – is recognised as the unofficial anthem of Cornwall.

The village still has close connections with the Trelawny family from whom the Benefice gets its name and whose crest we are allowed to use. We are proud to host the Trelawny Day and Trelawny Plate Services which involve the whole county. A history exhibition in the church portrays local population journeys through time and recounts Bishop Trelawny’s life in religion.

Interesting Church features

1. When you enter the building look up to the roof and see the bosses, you will see faces!
2. If you look at the Buller tomb note the cherub type figures either side, what are you looking at? (You should see the original figures with areas showing there was at one point a call for modesty,  they were given little kilts to wear at one point in time!)
3. Pelynt has one of the largest roundhead crosses in Cornwall, it is pre-Norman and thought to be a preaching cross which was originally in the churchyard.

Pelynt History Exhibition

Each year St Nun hosts an exhibition showcasing the rich history of the parish from its most famous son Bishop Jonathon Trelawny to local farming families, religious sites in the area,  journeys over time of the local population and traditions.  Every year there is a different topic and runs from Easter Sunday to the end of November.  The church is open daily between 10am & 4pm and a free and open to all.

The church holds many volumes of research material for those who wish to trace their family histories, including transcripts of the Pelynt census and parts of the Parish Registers and books on local families.   There is an index for church yards – old and new  files are located in the east end of the north aisle where there are maps and references to enable location of an ancestor or more recent relative’s resting place within the churchyard and cemetery.

Other compilations are available to purchase which include:-

Religious Sites of Pelynt

Bishop Trelawny – 2nd Revised edition

Pelynt Drive About – This guides you on a  drive from Pelynt church  incorporating and visiting other churches in the area with information as you go, giving you sights and markers to look out for then finishing your tour back at Pelynt church.  All proceeds go to the Cornish Churches Historic Trust (CCHT) Cornwall Historic Churches Trust (chct.info)

 Research

Should you wish to investigate and research a person related to the parish you can contact the Cornish Family History Society Cornwall Family History Society (cornwallfhs.com) where records can be obtained.