St. Austell Church Cornwall - St. Austol
St Austell - Detail of Tracery Click here to download |
St Austell - Exterior View Click here to download |
St Austell - The Nave Click here to download |
St Austell - The Norman Font Click here to download |
St Austell - The Pulpit Click here to download |
St Austell - The Sanctuary Click here to download |
The church is situated in the heart of the town and consists of a chancel with aisles, nave of 5 bays, north and south aisles, north and south porches, there being a parvise on the south one, and west tower. Rebuilt in the 15th cent on the site of a previous Norman construction. Certainly evidence remains of prior Norman church, not least the magnificent late Norman font similar in design to that of Bodmin.
Lofty west tower, bearing the arms of Bishop Courtenay of Exeter 1478-87, which fixes the date of construction, of granite and Pentewan stone. On each side of the tower 4 apostles, there are also 15 Escutcheons showing 12 symbols of the Passion and concluding with the Resurrection, Ascension and Christ in Triumph.
Among the many interesting tablets in the church there is one to local shoemaker and metaphysician Samuel Drew, there is also a memorial window to Bishop Colenso.
Another interesting aspect of the tower appears below the West Window in the shape of an ancient clock face. Contained in the inventory taken during the reign of Edward VI, it was the only church clock mentioned in the County.