Forrabury Church
Click photo for larger view
1
Forrabury Church was Norman but little remains
of that era.
2
The Porch is dated 1520. It's roof is particularly fine, made of granite
slabs.
3
Entering the church, its obvious what has been rebuilt and what is
original but the Norman features are clear to see.
4
The Pulpit is made of geometrical design, a terrier and two rabbits
in a barrow, an ape on a stool, and two swans. One wonders what other
treasures existed on old bench ends, sold of to local farms and houses.
5
Just inside the door, on the left, another reminder of the Norman
architecture,
is the cup shaped font, with diagonal criss cross carvings
on the cup - notice the design changes from one side to the other.
Forrabury
(St Symphorian) Of the two churches which serve Boscastle, the one at
Forrabury, high on the bare hill south of the village, is not as easy to
miss as Minster, tucked in the woodland of Valency Valley. Of all the
thousands who visit the picturesque harbour, the only shelter for miles
around on this forbidding but beautiful coast, few climb the hill through
the old village, its streets reminiscent of Clovelly, with the deep storm
water drain running perilously beside the narrow road. But both the village
and the church are worth a visit, showing a different side of Boscastle life
to the business of the harbour area. By road, follow directions for Tintagel
then turn right after leaving the village behind.
There was a church at Forrabury in
Norman times, but little of that remains to be seen today, because in 1687,
in response to a need for extra seating ( which makes encouraging reading)
the church, aprt from the tower, the south side of the building and the
porch were rebuilt, at a cost of £320. The north transept of the original
cruciform church was extended to form the present north aisle, and the
vestry was added to the south transept. Whilst such a massive
rebuilding clearly altered the character of the old church, there are
interesting reminders to be found of its earlier history.
In Boscastle, two fast following streams converge - and so do two geological
formations: to the north is clay country, to the south is the beginning of
the slate and granite of the rest of Cornwall.
St Symphorian
The church is dedicated to St Symphorian - a little known Saint
in England, but many churches are dedicated to him in France. It may be that
he was familiar to the Bottreaux family, (Boscastle is a corruption of their
name). They came over with William the Conqueror, and built Bottreaux Castle -
which was in a commanding position just below the Methodist Chapel. The Saint
came from Autun, in Burgandy and was beheaded in A.D. 282, when still young,
for protesting against the worship of the goddess Cybele.
Entering the church, both rebuilding and origins are
immediately obvious. The old mediaeval benches have all gone (though
fragments form key features of the church) but the remains of the Norman church are clearly to seen in the south wall of the nave and the south
transept - look for the plain round, Norman arch. Forrabury has an
immediately homely, lived in feel, appropriate to a church which has played
so significant a part in a thousand years of history of Boscastle.
The chancel floor, panelling, altar rails and screen were were installed in
1911.
The church at Forrabury speaks of much history, and the changing fortunes of the village through the years. If you want to know more, purchase the
interesting leaflet in the church. Please help the community to continue to
maintain this place that God may continue to be known and worshipped here.
On the tower: the fish weather vane is an apt reminder of the connection with the
fishing village below.
Below the church, outside the churchyard on National Trust land, is an early
cross, once used as a (Notice the holes) gate post.
Outside the church, and to the east of the porch are a number of memorial
stones: the earliest dates from 1644 and commemorates Johan, the wife of John
Tub; John their son, was buried in 1647. Reading the words is a keen reminder
of the clarity of faith in those times.
Click to enlarge image
The Lectern from which the Bible is read, is typical of many found in this
shape of an eagle. the eagle is the symbol of St John the Evangelist whose
words in the Book of Revelation "soared up into the presence of Christ". In
mediaeval times it was believed that the eagle renewed itself by flying into
the sun.
Not
all of the mediaeval woodwork was lost: some can be seen forming the altar,
pulpit and credence table. Five fine panels form the altar front. The centre
panel shows the Lamb and Flag over the letter M, probably the monogram for
Mary, the mother of Jesus. Next to it are emblems of Christ's Passion.
Click to enlarge image
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Extracts taken from 'CHURCH
TRAILS IN CORNWALL' packs produced by North Cornwall Heritage Coast &
Countryside. Original text by Jeremy Dowling
| 
 "Thumbnail Forrabury Church exterior Click to enlarge")
 "The porch Click to enlarge")
 "View inside church Church Click to enlarge")
 "The Pulpit Click to enlarge")
 "The Font Click to enlarge")
 "Thumbnail of Fish Weather Vain Click to enlarge")
 "Thumbnail of Early Cross Click to enlarge")
 "Thumbnail of Grave Stone Click to enlarge")
 "Thumbnail of Grave Stone Click to enlarge")
 "Thumbnail of Lectern Click to enlarge")
 "Thumbnail of Mediaeval Woodwork Click to enlarge")