St Mary the Virgin

In 1846 the first vicar of Par, George Prynne, was a priest of a new Parish with no church. Prynne was impressed by young Street’s plans and enthusiasm and so the church was built. The original limestone altar, font and pulpit are still in weekly use.

The ecclesiastical parish of Par was formed in 1846, from portions of the parishes of St Blazey and Tywardreath. George Rundle Prynne, the first vicar of this new parish, had no parish church in which to worship, until a young Georgie Edmund Street was introduced to Prynne. He was so impressed with Street’s plans, talent and enthusiasm, that he gave Street a chance to build his first church. He did a good job!

Sir John Betjeman once wrote ‘St Mary’s is the work of an artist. Street is one of the great English Architects. He designed many churches, but I doubt if he ever produced a better church than the honest, simple Parish Church of Par’.

You may know that Street went on to design, build and restore hundreds of churches and buildings throughout the UK and Europe. His last work was the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand. He never lived to see it completed. He is buried in the nave of Westminster Abbey, a fitting tribute to the genius of Street.

The limestone, font, altar and pulpit are the origami from 1849. The building itself was mainly built from the reddish coloured Biscovey stone taken from the nearby quarry. The general effect of the exterior is picturesque and a revival of the medieval. The corner stones are hewn form Pentuan stone brought from the cliffs near Mevagissey, a stone that was used locally in the 13th and 14th centuries and described by Nikolaus Pevsner as ‘mellow and lovable, even today”’ and describes the church as ‘a remarkable work for a beginner, of a freshness and charm not always aimed at or achieved by Street’.

There are 11 stained glass windows in the sanctuary and chancel, which were installed when the church was built and are by William Wailes. A delightful surprise in the sanctuary is a tiny triangular window under one of the sedilia arches. Why Street put it there is anybody’s guess. It serves no earthly purpose, but that it gives a quaint originality to the external effect!