St Mabena
St Mabyn, Cornwall
The church was erected in 1882 on land given by Lady Molesworth of Pencarrow. Its overall dimensions only just exceed 60ft x 20ft yet seating is claimed to be for 80 (at a squeeze!).
Of particular note is the font which, of Celtic origin, is undoubtedly the oldest in Cornwall. It was installed soon after the church was built, having been rescued from the rectory garden at Lanteglos by Camelford. Edmund Seddon says in his ‘Norman Architecture in Cornwall’ that it ‘is among the oldest in England’.
The pulpit, which dates from the 16th century, was brought from Germany by Sir William Molesworth in the early 19th century and is said to have been used by Martin Luther. It was given to the church by Sir Hugh Molesworth St Aubyn. The Molesworth St Aubyn family continue to maintain close links with St Conan.