St Michael & All Angels
Bude, Cornwall
St Michael & All Angels was built in 1835 and donated as ‘a gift to the people of the place’ by the Lord of the Manor, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland.
Despite over rigorous restoration in Victorian times, this village church has regained much charm after recent restoration programmes.
Poundstock, Cornwall
On the north wall are wall paintings, one a graphic and bloody ‘Warning to Sabbath Breakers’ showing various tools adding to Christ’s suffering (the message was ‘Don’t work on Sundays’), and one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
There are also fragments of other wall paintings.
Parts of the rood screen survive, as does a symbol of St Luke in a panel of medieval stained glass. Close to the church is a rare survivor: a guild house, dating from the 1500s.
These were once common near churches and were where parish feasts were held, and where ale was brewed and cakes baked. Most of these were demolished or turned to other uses when feasting and beer drinking on church property became socially and morally unacceptable.
Bude, Cornwall
St Michael & All Angels was built in 1835 and donated as ‘a gift to the people of the place’ by the Lord of the Manor, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland.
Launcells, Cornwall
Famously described by Sir John Betjeman as the ‘least spoilt church in Cornwall’, the building dates back to the late 15th century, with fragments of an earlier 14th century church incorporated into the current structure.
Stratton, Cornwall
There are some fascinating items to spot in the parish church of St Andrew, including the old town stocks and the stoutly studded door from Stratton Gaol, with iron nails outlining the word CLINK!