St Crida's Church, Creed

St Crida’s Church stands in the quiet village of Creed, a few kilometres from the south Cornish coast. Built on Norman foundations, the present church mostly dates from the 15th century, though its tower was rebuilt in the 18th. The south aisle and porch were added in the 1400s and still show lavish windows and fine woodwork. Traces of the original cruciform plan survive in the north transept and parts of the north wall. Inside, visitors find a 15th-century wagon roof, a Norman stone piscina, and a 13th-century font carved from Catacleuse stone.

The church is dedicated to St Crida, a woman whose identity remains uncertain; some link her to Crediton. Among its rectors was William Gregor, who discovered the element titanium while serving here. Earlier, Dr Reginald Merther-derwa left money in his 1447 will for stone crosses, and five similar crosses still stand in Creed parish. The chest tomb of Thomas and Margaret Denys, who died in the late 16th century, also draws attention.

The building sits within a joint parish that includes five neighbouring churches. Its organ, once by William Hill, now comes from Carnkie Methodist Church. The churchyard and surrounding lanes offer peaceful walks, with views across rolling Cornish countryside.