Page:County Churches of Cornwall.djvu/232

 196 THE CHURCHES OF CORNWALL wide, ran round building, interrupted only by door- ways and altar. There was but one small window, on S. side. Altar was of rubble, with slab on top, and there were traces of a canopy over it wherein was kept head of saint. Headless skeleton of St. Piran lay beneath altar. The building may be said with confidence to be of 6th or at latest of 7th cent. Small illustrated books on this intensely interesting early church were published by Mr. Trelawny Collins in 1837, and by Mr. Haslam in 1844, the latter quite unreliable. Much to discredit of churchfolk of Cornwall, no steps were taken for a long time to check vandalism of both natives of district and visitors. Nearly three-fourths of old building as unearthed in 1835 have now dis- appeared. My own notes, taken respectively in 1876 and 1900, show shameful spoliation during that quarter of a century. 1 It is supposed that this oratory was overwhelmed in 9th cent., when another church was built on further side of stream which restrained the drifting sands. This second church was rebuilt on a large scale in 1462, but course of stream having been turned about a century ago for mining operations, fabric was seriously threatened by sands. Accord- ingly church was removed piecemeal, and re-erected 2 miles further inland in part of parish called Lam- bourne during 1803-5. Church consists of chancel, nave, S. aisle, transepts, and W. tower of 3 stages. 1 See A'.l.C, xvi. 133-143-