St Hilary

The church has unique links with West Cornwall’s literary and artistic heritage particularly the Newlyn Artists. The Procters, Harveys, Knights, Garstins and Walkes were all involved in the unique scheme of decoration of the church which has led to its Grade I listing. St Hilary has a rich and celebrated history and is visually beautiful.

Following a disastrous fire in 1853, the church was rebuilt by the eminent church architect William White and in the early 20th century Ernest Procter, one of Newlyn artists, designed a scheme to decorate the church. It houses a unique array of paintings, many of which depict the legends of the Celtic saints. They were painted in the 1920s & 30s mainly by artists of the Newlyn School through their links to Father Bernard Walke, the controversial high church vicar at the time. Father Walke wrote and produced plays and in 1926 his Christmas play was one of the first BBC outside live radio broadcasts.

The church was founded by the Monks of St Michael’s Mount in the 13th century with its links to Mont St Michel hence its dedication to a French saint and 13th century French spire decorated with sculptured heads. The churchyard is a raised ancient site and contains the 5th century Noti Noti stone plus other crosses and a 4th century Roman milestone is in the church.

The small Heritage Centre documents, with descriptive panels and other exhibits, the rich and varied culture of this part of Cornwall and provides a valuable resource for research. Many visitors from the UK and overseas come to trace their Cornish roots. Prebooked guided tours of the church, its history, art and heritage of ten or more can be arranged.