St Mewan Church
The church is dedicated to Saint Mewan, a sixth-century Celtic saint who was born in Wales, visited Cornwall, and is mostly venerated in Brittany as St Me’an. The current building dates from the 13th century and is mentioned in a bishops' inquisition of 1294 as the 'Ecclesia de St Mewany'. It was, however, substantially rebuilt in 1854 by George Edmund Street and enlarged in 1890. The church tower is of only two stages and is built of granite blocks. Local legend suggests that the original builders were prevented from raising it higher by the devil who threw down their stones each night.
It is not known why the Church of Mewan was built here except that it is close to a fresh water spring, which in ancient times would have been a meeting place. At one time there were some nearby ancient stones at Coyte but these have now disappeared. It is believed that St Mewan, St Austol and St Sampson were known to each other and established churches here, at St Austell and at Golant.
The church dates from Norman times but most of what remains today dates from the 15th and 19thcenturies. The font is 14th century standing on a Norman base. In 1854 the Church was extensively “restored” by the Victorians and the original wagon roof replaced by the present structure. It has a bell tower with six bells; five of these are dated from 1748.
This small Church has served a scattered mining and agricultural community since 1225 when Jon Wac, a pluralist clerk, had care of a few souls. The first full time vicar, Rector Thomas of Eglowerthen, was appointed by the Bishop of Exeter in 1318.
According to legend, at the southern extremity of the churchyard there is a mound where those who died from the Black Death in 1348 - 49 were buried.
John Wesley visited the parish of St Mewan six times between 1753 and 1755 and preached nearby.
After its peak of attendance by wealthy local families in the years between the two World Wars, the Church at St Mewan has seen a decline in congregation but still remains to serve the local communities that surround it.
The Cache
The Church is open during daylight hours and is worth a visit inside. However you can solve this cache from information gathered around the large graveyard which contains many impressive grave stones dating back to the mid 18th Century.
Stage 1 – N 50 19.942 W 004 48.853 - The headline coordinates take you to the war memorial just inside one of the church gates.
Q1 – How many local men fell during the First World War – 1914-1918? Answer = AB
Stage 2 – N 50 19.948 W 004 48.805 - Walk up to and past the entrance to the Church on the South side and walk on up the steps and on to the main eastward path through the graveyard. Facing the first large yew tree you will find the headstone for Elizabeth Coad who died on April 8th
Q2 - In which year and at what age?BCAC aged AD years.
Stage 3 – N 50 19.989 W 004 48.778 - Walk on through the graveyard to the newest section which is surprisingly peaceful given the proximity to the main A390. Find the bench with Dora’s name on it.
Q3 - How many words are carved onto the backrest of the bench – Answer= E
Stage 4 – N 50 19.954 W 004 48.824 - Return the way you have come and at the bottom of the steps , turn right to find the North facing wall of the Church. Mounted on the wall is a tombstone plaque in memory of Maria Vivian.
Q4 - how old was she when she died – Answer = FA.
Checksum of A to F is 28
You now have the information you need to find the cache which is hidden just outside the Church grounds.
Final cache location is at N 50 19.FDD W 004 48.C(B+E)(D-A-B)
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
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