St Elwyn

It was consecrated in 1888 although the area has been a focus for trade and settlement since at least the Bronze Age. Today Hayle's rich industrial past is recognised by being part of the UNESCO Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.

You will have noticed the rather unusual tower. It is in two stages, the lower one being square and the upper octagonal. There are four floors within the tower which houses two bells. The architect claimed to have been inspired by the steeple of Lostwithiel parish church.

The porch is Early English in style. Facing you is the rather imposing font carved from polyphant stone in the 14th century perpendicular style.

Immediately behind the font is the great west or ‘Friendship’ window. This beautiful work in stained glass was designed by Clayton and Bell in 1933. It was dedicated to St Elwyn’s and his friends Frank Harvey of Glanmoor, Hayle and his wife Anne. The window portrays seven pairs of friends.

The nave and clerestory arcades are very striking and the clerestory windows above the north aisle are particularly fine examples of stained glass as are the eight small windows set along the north and south aisles.

Around the walls are the Stations of the Cross and as you approach the chancel, behind the pulpit there is a statue of Our Lady below the Lady Chapel. Above the chapel is the musician’s gallery, reached from the tower.

The east window depicts the Crucifixion and the Ascension and the circular light at the head shows Our Lord in Glory. Above the altar is the Christus Rex Crucifix which is set between the two lancet triptychs and below the circular light. There is a small stained glass window of St Elwyn in the lady chapel. Given to the church in 1900 in memory of Minnie Hampson. In keeping with the popular Victorian tradition, the face of the saint is that of the woman in whose memory it was given.