CornwallCAERHAYSStMichael(michaelgarlickCC-BY-SA2.0)2 MichaelGarlick

St Michael

There is a peal of six bells, three of which are medieval, contained within the ancient tower which was repaired in 1970 when a new buttress was built.

Caerhays, Cornwall

Opening times

The church is open every day from approximately 9am to 5pm.

Address

Caerhays
Cornwall
PL26 6LY

Funds for the past and future church maintenance have been and still are raised by local efforts and the generous donations of visitors.

One small sword and sheath reputed to have been used by one of the Trevanions at Bosworth Field (1485) has been missing since 1966 and a ceremonial helmet likewise since 1980 from the Lady Chapel.

The date of the original church is not known, but on the north side is a fine blocked Pre-Norman doorway which has a tympanum on which is sculptured an Agnus Dei. This is one of only six in Cornwall. The church was originally cruciform in shape and was rededicated by Bishop Bronescombe on 5th October 1259. There is a covered double lych gate with stone seats, to afford cover while waiting for the corpse at a funeral. In the porch is an aumbry and inside the church is a piscina.

In the Lady Chapel are three pikes, a helmet and a life size statue of George Byron Bettesworth, a captain in the Royal Navy, whose grandmother was a Trevanion. Captain Bettesworth had a brief but brave and distinguished career (1785-1808).

Near the organ is a stone marking the burial place of Isabella Byron, daughter of John Byron and his wife Sophia. Four month old Isabella would have been the Aunt to the 6th Lord Byron (poet) who was born in 1788.

One of the Church's south side windows has three lights dipicting Elijah ascending into heaven, Elisha, Christ Kings of Kings, Baptism and underneath, Paul on Mars Hill, the good shepherd and John the Baptist. In the centre of the middle light is the Crucifixion.

  • Social heritage stories

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Captivating architecture

  • Car park at church

  • Church of England

  • Partnership Grant, £5,000, 2012

  • Our Partnership Grants funded a range of repair projects, recommended by County Church Trusts, to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

All Saints

St Ewe, Cornwall

At St Ewe village the road widens just a bit at the market cross and mounting steps, through the gate you'll see the camellia developed by Mr Tregunna of Caerhayes and named St Ewe.

St Peter

Mevagissey, Cornwall

The site upon which this little church is built has been holy ground for some 1400 years and it is known that around 550AD Saint Mevan and Saint Issey busied themselves in this neighbourhood organising the early Celtic church.

St Crida

Creed, Cornwall

The patron saint of Creed is first recorded as St Crite in the 10th century and may well have been a Cornish saint and possibly the daughter of either King Mark of Cornwall or an Irish king.