Saint Marnarch's Church

On this Page:

• About St Marnarch's Church
• Trelawny Benefice Diary 
• Some thoughts for today
• Safeguarding
• Weddings, Christenings and Funerals
• Remembrance Day in Lanreath
• History of St Marnarch's
• The Church in Pictures

St. Marnarch’s Parish Church in the Anglican Diocese of Truro is located in the centre of the village and conservation area of Lanreath. The structure of this beautiful Grade 1 listed church has been repaired rather than restored.

This gives the effect of age and a special completeness. In particular, it has a fine rood screen dating from 1520 with the original paintings still evident in a few of the lower panels. It has a wealth of rich carvings – the pulpit, font, prayer desks and an impressive monument to the Grylls family who resided at Court Barton, next to the Church.

The Church is open daily during daylight hours.

Rector: Rev. Richard Allen Tel: 01503 220847

Email: rev@trelawnybenefice.com

Church Wardens:    

Gill Sanders Tel: (01503) 220827

Peter Hooper

St.Marnarch's church is one of the Churches in the wider ‘Benefice of Trelawny’, which also includes St. Nun in Pelynt, St. Ildierna in Lansallos, St. Wyllow in Lanteglos-by-Fowey, St. Saviour in Polruan, St. John's in Bodinnick and Talland.  It also supports the work of ‘Cornerstone’ the Churches Together Charity Shop in West Looe which raises money for local children’s charities.  Donations of unwanted good-quality bric-a-brac for sale in the shop is welcome – please contact Jenny Bartram on 01503 220490 if you have any items you wish to donate and which require collection and if you are willing to help out in the shop either regularly or on occasion, please contact Jenny Hall on 01503 598267 for further details.

Church Services

Please see 'Trelawny Benefice Diary' below plus when there is a fifth Sunday the service will be in one of the Churches in the Benefice at 11a.m. on a rota basis - please check church notice board.

Any queries please contact the Benefice office on 07399 563440 or take a look at the Trelawney Benefice website: https://www.trelawnybenefice.com/ 

To download the Trelawny Benefice Diary for this week please click on the button below.

Trelawny Benefice Services—April 2022 

Sunday 3rd 

9.30am St Marnarchs, Lanreath Holy Communion Service 

11am St Wyllow, Lanteglos by Fowey Holy Communion Service 11am St Tallanus, Talland Holy Communion by Extension 4pm St Nun, Pelynt ‘Songs of Praise’ 

6.30pm St Ildierna, Lansallos Holy Communion Service 

Palm Sunday 10th  

9.30am St Nun, Pelynt Village Service 

10.45am Polruan Coal Wharf—The Blessing of the Palms 

11am St Saviour Morning Prayer 

11am St Tallanus, Talland Holy Communion Service 

4pm St Marnarchs, Lanreath Palm Praise 

6.30pm St Ildierna, Lansallos Evening Prayer 

Munday Thursday 14th  

10am St Nun, Pelynt Holy Communion 

4pm Polruan Coal Wharf—Messy Church 

Good Friday 15th  

10am St John, Bodinnick Meditation 

10am St Nun, Pelynt Meditation –11am Hot Cross Buns & Easter Egg Hunt on  the Green 

12pm St Marnarchs, Lanreath Hot Cross Buns & Easter Egg Hunt on the Green 2.15pm St Wyllow, Lanteglos by Fowey Liturgy of Good Friday with Choir 

Saturday 16th 

6.30pm St Nun, Pelynt Benefice Easter Praise with Lanreath Community  Choir and Orchestra. Pelynt Male Choir and Polruan Children’s Choir! 

Easter Sunday 17th  

9.30am St Marnarchs, Lanreath Holy Communion Service 

11am St Wyllow, Lanteglos by Fowey Holy Communion Service 11am St Tallanus, Talland Holy Communion Service 

11am St Nun, Pelynt at Methodist Chapel 

6.30pm St Ildierna, Lansallos Holy Communion 

Sunday 24th 

9.30am St Saviour, Polruan Family Service 

9.30am St Marnarchs, Lanreath Morning Service 

11am St Nun, Pelynt Holy Communion Service 

6.30pm St Ildierna, Lansallos Evening Prayer 

Lord Longford 1905 – 2001 was a controversial figure who spent much of his life visiting prisoners including Myra Hindley. Yet no one could doubt his compassion and faithfulness both to God and to those he visited. When he died former prisoners joined hundreds of mourners to say farewell to the man who had spent his life faithfully fighting for society`s outcasts. On his deathbed he asked his wife, `You know what the most important question from the Bible is?` He spoke his last words by answering his own question quoting the words of Jesus: `I was in prison and you came to visit me.` Matthew 25 v36.

Life is not a competition that you have to win. It is not supposed to be rat race. Life is a huge privilege and an opportunity. God has trusted you with gifts and abilities, which he wants you to use. Use them or lose them. He is faithful to us and he expects us to be faithful to Him.

We need to see the least and the last as Jesus in disguise. Jesus said ,`Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.` He tells us that faithfulness to him is shown in what we do for the most vulnerable and most needy in the world.`

The hungry: Millions of people are dying of starvation. Every time you feed the hungry you encounter Jesus. Mother Teresa said, `The dying, the unwanted, the unloved – they are Jesus in disguise.`

The stranger: To be homeless, a refugee or an asylum seeker must be one of the most painful experiences of life. When you encounter people who are `strangers` and when you look after the homeless, provide them with shelter and invite them into the heart of your community, you encounter Jesus.

The sick: Another way in which you can meet Jesus is through ministering to those who are sick, whether they are in hospital, at home or at church. Every time you pray for the sick you have the opportunity to encounter Jesus.

The prisoners: Those in prison often come from the category the least and the last of our society. Jesus challenges us to imitate his grace and acceptance of sinners. We too need to remember we too are forgiven sinners. It is a huge privilege to go into prisons or to care for and mentor ex-offenders. The Chaplain General to the prison service said when he first went into prisons he thought he would take Jesus in with him. He soon realised that Jesus was already there. He said that from then on he went into prisons in order to encounter Jesus.

In all these areas Jesus say, `Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me`.

`The Rev` Richard Allen of Trelawny

Ensuring that children and young people as well as adults are kept safe whilst in our care is an integral part of our church life. If you have any concerns about safeguarding please contact:

In the Parish: (The Rector - Tel contact – 01503 220847)

In the Diocese: Sarah Acraman Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, 01872 274351

Out of Hours for after 5pm and weekends: 01208 251300

In emergency situation:

Local Authority Children’s Social Care: 0300 123 1116

Local Authority Adult’s Social Care: 0300 1234131

A church wedding will add a spiritual dimension to your marriage. It is a ceremony that bonds you in the eyes of God witnessed by your family and friends in a friendly, traditional atmosphere. If you are considering a Church Wedding, we believe St. Marnarch’s Church with a peel of six bells, within this beautiful village, makes it an ideal location for your special day. You don’t necessarily have to live in the Parish to be eligible to marry here – so give us a call to talk over your wedding plans and eligibility. It’s never too soon to call us.

Christenings are often held during a Sunday service and there is an extensive Baptismal Roll on display by the font.

Funeral services are also held within the church and there is room for burial within the Churchyard – Churchyard regulations are displayed in the Church porch.

For Further details please contact:

Rector: Rev. Allen - Tel (01503) 220847

Church Wardens:    

Gill Sanders       Tel: (01503) 220827

Peter Hooper

A time to remember all who lost their lives in the two World Wars and in wars since.

These men and women came from different socio-cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, and had various Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and atheist beliefs but all united to fight a common cause.

 Let us remember them all.

Until the early 7th century AD Cornwall was part of the Celtic fringe of Britain. The various tribes often found an excuse to declare war on each other, and even the coming of the Romans had little effect on the existing lifestyle.

However, during the 7th century Christianity began to assert itself, and the old ways gradually changed. It was around this time that St. Piran is said to have arrived in Cornwall. Records indicate that a church of sorts was built on the present site as far back as the eighth century but it was not until the Normans arrived in the latter part of the 11th century that the basis of the existing church came into being.

Most of the present Church is the result of much rebuilding and additional works, but the original north wall and transept still exist, as do the font and a small stone Altar.

Much of the subsequent history of the church is steeped in the Reformation, the Civil Wars and the Restoration of the Monarchy in the mid-17th century. This is all recorded in a very readable booklet written by Rosemary Pollock, a local amateur historian, with some illustrations by her mother Ida. It also includes a written 'walk around' of the present building. Priced at £1.50, it is available in the Church.

More Pictures of the Church may be viewed at the British Listed Buildings website.

Scrolling photo montage of the Flower festival

Return to top of page