St Nectan
Lostwithiel, Cornwall
In rolling countryside, two miles away from St Winnow, lies St Nectan’s chapel, being a chapel of ease which has been part of the parish since the 13th century.
St Bartholomew’s is a 12th Century church situated in the very centre of the town of Lostwithiel in Cornwall.
Lostwithiel is an ancient Stannary town with approximately 3,000 residents and the church has played an important part in the history of the area.
The church was involved with the Civil War when Parliamentary troops were billeted in the building with their horses. Apparently one of the horses was baptised in the Norman Font to annoy the Royalists. High in the belfry is a signature left by one of the soldiers at the time. The tower was hit by a canon fire and still bears the mark.
The early 14th century font is decorated with strange and remarkable carvings, including a grotesque head and a gigantic rabbit under attack from a dog.