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General view of St Pirans Oratory with railings, Perranzabuloe, Cornwall. 1905
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General view of St Pirans Oratory with railings, Perranzabuloe, Cornwall. 1905
A view of the Oratory exposed in the dunes and surrounded by the Victorian railings. Taken before the excavations of 1910. Two men and a woman stand outside the railings and a young woman is seated inside. St Pirans Oratory survives as an early Christian chapel with all four walls standing. It represents the supposed site where St Piran, an Irish saint came ashore and established a Christian centre of worship in the sixth or seventh centuries AD. The site has a documented entry in the Domesday book. There is a small nave, chancel and stone bench around much of the interior plus a cemetery. Situated on Penhale Sands, east of Perranporth, the Oratory has been subject to blown sands over the years. Excavations were carried out in 1835 and 1843 and then railings were erected around the site in the 1890s. In 1910 it was re-excavated and a concrete preserving structure constructed over it. A large number of burials were uncovered during the works. The concrete shell was largely demolished in 1980 and the chapel reburied. The site was re-excavated in 2014-2015. Photographer: Unknown
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TRURI : PEZot.32
Media ID 18352996
© From the collection of the RIC
Ecclesiastical Penhale Sands Perranporth Religion Religious Site The Lost Church
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a general view of St Pirans Oratory, nestled amidst the picturesque dunes of Perranzabuloe, Cornwall in 1905. The Victorian railings enclose this ancient Christian chapel, which stands as a testament to the arrival and establishment of St Piran, an Irish saint who brought Christianity to these shores during the sixth or seventh centuries AD. Intriguingly, two men and a woman can be seen standing outside the railings, while a young woman sits within its protective embrace. The Oratory's four walls remain intact, with a small nave and chancel adorned by stone benches that line much of its interior. A cemetery also lies nearby. Situated on Penhale Sands east of Perranporth, this historic site has endured challenges over time due to shifting sands. Excavations were first conducted in 1835 and 1843 before railings were erected around it in the late 19th century for preservation purposes. Further excavation took place in 1910 when a concrete structure was built to protect it from erosion. During these works, numerous burials were discovered beneath its sacred grounds. Although the concrete shell was mostly demolished in 1980 and the chapel reburied for protection, renewed interest led to another excavation between 2014-2015. Preserved through this remarkable photograph taken by an unknown photographer from Royal Cornwall Museum (not affiliated with commercial use), we are granted a glimpse into both history and faith at one of Cornwall's most significant archaeological sites - St Pirans Oratory.
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