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St Constantine Chapel, Constantine Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. 1961
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum
St Constantine Chapel, Constantine Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. 1961
Remains of the medieval chapel, once one of the largest in Cornwall, now a scheduled monument. Little recorded, though mentioned in 1390 and rebuilt in the 15th century, the chapel was a place of pilgrimage together with the holy well nearby. Overgrown and partly buried in sand dunes, it was probably abandoned when the sands shifted and the settlement moved inland. The chapel was converted to almshouses after the Reformation but was a ruin by 1745. It is orientated east-west and consisted of a tower at the west end, nave, chancel and south aisle. Photographer: Charles Woolf
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : EMERn.11
Media ID 19584203
© RIC, photographer Charles Woolf
Archaeology Churches Greenham Joyce Ruins Middle Ages
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print transports us back to the year 1961, capturing the haunting beauty of St Constantine Chapel in Constantine Bay, St Merryn, Cornwall. Once a grand medieval chapel and one of the largest in Cornwall, it now stands as a scheduled monument with only its remains left behind. The history of this ancient chapel is shrouded in mystery, with little recorded information available. However, historical records mention its existence as early as 1390 and reveal that it was rebuilt during the 15th century. The chapel held great significance as a place of pilgrimage alongside a nearby holy well. Over time, nature has reclaimed parts of this once magnificent structure; overgrown vegetation intertwines with sand dunes that partially bury its ruins. It is believed that shifting sands led to the abandonment of both the chapel and the surrounding settlement which gradually moved inland. After enduring centuries of change and turmoil, including conversion into almshouses following the Reformation era, by 1745 St Constantine Chapel had succumbed to ruin. Its orientation from east to west encompassed a tower at its western end along with a nave, chancel, and south aisle. Photographed by Charles Woolf for posterity's sake, this image serves as an invaluable record not only for ecclesiastical enthusiasts but also for those fascinated by archaeology and medieval history. As we gaze upon this poignant scene captured through time's lens by Woolf's skilled eye, we are reminded of our connection
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