St Buriana
St Buryan, Cornwall
St Buryan is a busy, friendly, Cornish village, dominated by its huge, Grade I listed collegiate church, ‘the Cathedral of the West’ dedicated to St Buriana, a 5th century Irish Saint.
The pretty granite church dates from the 15th century, and still has the base of its rood screen. This has its original paint, and includes pictures of a spotted goat, a jester, a triple headed king (perhaps representing the Trinity), birds and other beasts.
The 15th century font has shield bearing angels at the corners, and there are 16th century bench ends.
In the churchyard here are two very early full length crosses, both with crucifixions carved on them. They may date from the 10th century and are outstanding examples of their kind.
There are three more cross heads in the churchyard.
A few hundred metres west of the church there is a holy well and baptistry, which predate the current parish church building. Both churchyard and church held a strong appeal to artists of the Newlyn School. Among those who lie buried in the churchyard is Florence ‘Blote’ Munnings whose tragic story was made into a film in 2013.
Today Sancreed remains a doggedly independent parish, providing a unique, traditional, contemplative place for worship in exceptional surroundings.