St Mawes' Church, St Mawes

St Mawes’ Church stands in the small Cornish town of St Mawes, a place named after the Breton saint Maudez. The town once had a chapel dedicated to him, mentioned in records from 1427, but it fell out of use during Elizabeth I’s reign. For centuries after, locals relied on a private chapel built by the Earl Temple in 1807. The present church, designed in the Early English style, was completed in 1884 and built from local stone with granite facings. The church was opened by the Bishop of Truro and cost £1,500 to construct. Its design includes a chancel, nave, porch and bell turret, reflecting the style of the period. The west window was donated in memory of Staff-Commander Vincent and his wife, while the chancel window honours Miss Cullah. Other windows were gifts from local families, adding to the church’s character. Inside, the church retains its original features, with simple yet elegant stonework. The stained glass windows cast coloured light across the nave, creating a quiet, reflective atmosphere. The bell turret rises above the roofline, marking the church’s presence in the town. Nearby, St Just’s Church shares the same parish, linking the two communities.