St Materiana's Church

St Materiana’s Church stands in a wooded valley beside the River Valency, half a mile east of Boscastle in Cornwall. Built in Norman times with later medieval additions and 19th-century restoration, it is a Grade I listed building. The church is dedicated to Materiana of Cornwall, once known as Mertheriana, and was once home to her tomb. A Rector now oversees the united parishes of Forrabury and Minster. In 2004 the church suffered flood damage to pews, an electric organ and fittings. The church holds one of the largest greater horseshoe bat maternity roosts in the UK. This rare species is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The bats roost within the historic fabric of the building, adding a living dimension to its ancient stones. The flood recovery work included archaeological investigation to clarify the church’s long history. The organ and furnishings were restored after being soaked by the rising waters. Visitors find a quiet church set among trees, its Norman core still visible beneath later work. The interior contains simple fittings and a plain organ, while outside the churchyard slopes down to the river. A Cornish cross stands in the churchyard, brought from its original site nearby. The surrounding Minster Wood and the valley of the Valency offer peaceful walks. The church remains a place of worship and a refuge for wildlife.