Mithian: St Peter
Overview
Grid reference: SW 746 471
The modestly sized Victorian Gothic stone church of St Peter stands on an isolated site, closer to the hamlet of Silverwell than to Mithian. The parish consists of several small dispersed rural settlements and was created at the same time as the church, which was built for this in 1861. The church is Early English in style, with intersecting tracery and plate tracery. At first sight this is a simple building, but the hand of a gifted architect is revealed by the powerful massing and careful placing of features. This is a severe design, its bleakness perhaps a deliberate reflection of the surrounding landscape of this coldest part of Cornwall
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Cruciform; 3-bay transeptal nave with west tower, south-west porch, 2-bay chancel with north vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave estimated to be c 15m (50ft) x 4.5m (15ft), chancel 8m long (26ft), transepts 4m long (13 ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 279 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The parish consists of several small dispersed rural settlements and was created at the same time as the church, which was built for this in 1861 (the listing description suggests it was built in 1848 for this “Peel parish”, but it may be this is the date of the appropriation of the site and beginning of the fund-raising). It was designed by William White on a new site, located at the centre of the new parish, but not close to any settlement (the site is of low archaeological potential), and the closure of the tin mines and subsequent depopulation meant that the church was rarely full. The community consisted almost exclusively of miners, and poverty was endemic. Nevertheless, the energetic vicar Revd Alfred Lord succeeded in raising funds for a surprisingly high quality design, although the materials were poor. The area is still thinly populated, however the area around Blackwater directly to the south has recently been selected for modest housing developments.
The tower was rebuilt in 1898 after the spire collapsed. The church remains much as it was at this point, but has deteriorated in recent years and is now in a dangerous condition. Buttresses have been added at some point at the west end of the nave, presumably in an attempt to arrest movement. Repairs to the roof and fabric were undertaken in 1961, and there is much recent cementitious pointing of this date and later. Following the collapse of the church hall roof, insurance cover has been removed, and there is no lighting or heating.
Exterior Description
The church is Early English in style, with intersecting tracery and plate tracery. At first sight this is a simple building, but the hand of a gifted architect is revealed by the powerful massing and careful placing of features. This is a severe design, its bleakness perhaps a deliberate reflection of the surrounding landscape of this (according to the locals) coldest part of Cornwall, a claim which seemed very plausible on the day of the visit. In such a climate, the lack of functioning rainwater goods as seen here is likely to cause big problems.
The dominant feature is the tall 3-stage (minimal definition by string-courses) embattled tower, impressive even without its original spire. The west face has a pointed-arched doorway under a 3-light pointed window with intersecting tracery, the middle stage has small cusped single lights, and there are 2-light cusped openings to each face of the belfry stage.
Otherwise plate tracery is employed throughout, the tall nave has two 3-light windows in the north wall and a single 4-light to the south wall, similar 2-light windows to the transepts with trefoils in the heads. Tall gabled porch with pointed doorway under a hoodmould, with benches inside and a floor of red and black diagonal tiles flanking a slate strip. The inner doorway is pointed, plain, plank door with original iron fittings.
The much lower chancel has a 4-light east window and two 2-lights with quatrefoils to the south wall, one similar to the west bay of the north side, the east bay is taken up by the vestry. This has a catslide roof and a plain pointed door in the west wall, and a 2-light cusped lancet window in the east.
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, the interior is lofty and very plain, indeed austere with plastered walls. The plaster has been chipped off the wall on the east face of the south transept and other places, and there is much evidence of damp penetration, with green mould at the west end in particular where there is no plaster. Looking up, there are arch-braced roofs with collars. The arches to the tower, chancel and transepts are tall, pointed and plain. The nave floors are of woodblock (mostly under red carpet). Leaded glazing throughout, some of the windows have been damaged.
Within the tower space is a fine spiral iron staircase to the belfry. A vestibule has been formed at the west end of the nave with plain wooden screens. Beyond it the nave is fully pewed with simple benches, curved ends and panelled backs, of no great quality. The pipe organ has been placed in front of the window in the north transept, blocking much of the light. Similar benches to those in the nave line the walls.
Within the chancel arch is a neo-Jacobean rood screen erected in the 1920s, with plain dado, turned uprights and a painted rood. Plain choir stalls given in 1936. A painted reredos, stained glass and quarry tiles with encaustic borders in the sanctuary impart some colour here.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th Century Oak chest with miniature buttresses.
Pulpit
19th Century The pulpit is of oak, hexagonal, plain, with iron rails to the steps.
Lectern
19th Century Plain wood.
Font (component)
19th Century Stone (artificial?) font, tall octagonal bowl and chamfered base, totally plain and rather odd looking. Tall ribbed conical wooden cover with brass wheel cross finial.
Stained Glass (window)
19th Century Chancel east window has the Four Evangelists, of the late 19th century. In memory of Alfred Lord died 1880 and Martha his wife, died 1877. Perhaps by Fouracre & Watson of Stonehouse, Plymouth.
Plaque (object)
20th Century One of particular significance: Marble tablet in memory of Captain Thomas Jenkins, killed by a fall of stone at the Bassett Mines, Redruth in 1906. Several 20th-century plain brass plaques on the furniture. ICBS Board, loose.
Organ (component)
19th Century 19th-century 2-manual pipe organ, restored in 1926 by Hele Co of Plymouth. In poor condition.
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Glastonbury chair, Bishop’s chair.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SW 746 471
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
The churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Churchyard Structures
War Memorial
20th Century One war grave, that of Craftsman Arthur Bevil Jordan, died 14th May 1944, located north of the church and marked by a private memorial.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Quinquennial Inspections
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