| Summary : Now St Buryans Church. A collegiate church was established in circa 930. It was re-dedicated in 1238 but the college was dissolved in 1545. The present parish church on the same site was rebuilt in the early 13th century but now comprises mainly 15th fabric. It was restored some time in the post medieval period. Excavations in 1984 located an undated boundary ditch which could be part of a round. North wall of chancel is early 13th century, otherwise 15th and possibly early 16th century.Restored in 1814 and 1886. Granite ashlar and granite rubble walls, dressed elvan to parts of 13th century walls, otherwise mostly granite dressings. Dry Delabole slate roofs with granite coped gable ends. Nave/chancel under one roof, west tower, north aisle, south aisle and south porch, all 15th or early 16th century except for parts of chancel which are early 13th century. Late medieval arcades and roof structures. |
More information : (SW 40912571) St Burian's Church (Rectory) (NAT) (1)
About 930 King Athelstan established a college of secular canons at
St Buryan (properly Beryan), on the site of the Celtic hermitage
of St Beriana. He gave it the privileges of sanctuary and extensive
lands in the parish and by 1085, although reduced in extent, they
still belonged to the church.
In 1238 Bishop Briwere seems to have re-established the college
when he re-dedicated the church in honour of the BVM, SS Andrew
Apostle, Thomas the Martyr, Nicholas and Beriana.
The college consisted of a dean and three prebendaries, but by the
15th century they were habitually non-resident and their places
taken by curates. It was dissolved in 1545.
The present parish church of St Berrian (5), or Burriana(6), was
rebuilt in the early 13th century but only the E end of the N aisle
of this building now survives in the mainly 15th century fabric.
Not graded by DOE (HHR). (2-6)
19/100 Church of St. Burriana Parish Church. At one time a
collegiate church. Mainly C15 Fine W. tower. C15 rood screen,
restored.(7)
(Authority 7 is the full text of Authority 6).
The church is as described and in normal use.
Published 1/2500 survey correct.(8)
A watching brief during road-widening in 1984 demonstrated that the `modern' churchyard wall followed approximately the line of an earlier boundary ditch with maybe 3 earlier walls. No dating evidence for the first phase was found, although a pre Norman date is considered a probability and the possibility that the ditch and the first wall formed part of the defence of an Iron Age/Romano British round is briefly considered. (9)
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