St Dominica

Welcome, this parish church was dedicated in 1259 by Bishop Walter de Bronescombe of Exeter to a Celtic Saint unique to this area ‘Sancta Dominice’ which, in the Latin of the time, translates as the feminine Saint Dominica.

Indract and Dominica, according to tradition, were the son and daughter of an Irish King who, with several companions, came up the Tamar around 689AD, landing near what is now Halton Quay; and founding a religious settlement at the area now known as Chapel. Later, Indract and the companions are said to have made a pilgrimage to Rome, leaving Dominica at the settlement.

On the way back they planned to visit the shrine of St Patrick at Glastonbury, but somewhere nearby they were set upon and murdered. Deemed martyrs, their bodies were buried in the Abbey Church at Glastonbury.

The feast day of St Indract was celebrated at Glastonbury on May 8th In 1445 permission was given to ‘Sancti Dominica in Cornubia’ to change the feast day of St Dominica, from August 30th which fell during harvest, to May 9th the day after the feast day of St Indract. 

The church was remodelled in both the 1400s and again in the Victorian era but remains a peaceful place to sit awhile or to explore the additions throughout the ages. Outside, the top stage of the tower is corbelled out, making its design unique amongst Cornish churches.In 1963 the Bishop of Truro gave this church a second patron, St Dominic, by special decree.

The church of St Dominica is open for regular worship, offering a warm welcome, proclaiming the Good News of the risen Christ and making provision for pastoral care, baptisms, marriages and funerals for the community of the parish. This beautiful old church is a Grade I listed building and is open to visitors most days and is maintained through generous giving by both parishioners and visitors. An interpretation board outside, and leaflets inside, give the history and explain the monuments, windows and architecture of the building.