{"id":3651,"date":"2016-10-17T14:58:01","date_gmt":"2016-10-17T13:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/launcestonthen.co.uk\/?page_id=3651"},"modified":"2019-10-13T10:40:06","modified_gmt":"2019-10-13T09:40:06","slug":"egloskerry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/launcestonthen.co.uk\/index.php\/the-parishes\/egloskerry\/","title":{"rendered":"Egloskerry"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"The
The Simcoe Arms, Egloskerry c.1910.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Egloskerry is a village about 4 miles south-west of Launceston with the parish encompassing Tregeare, Badharlick, and Trebeath. It is bounded on the north by the River Attery (Ottery<\/em>) which separates it from the parish of North Petherwin, on the east by St Stephen-by-Launceston<\/a>, and St Thomas-by-Launceston, on the south by Trewen and Laneast, and on the west by Laneast and Tresmeer. The name Egloskerry is Cornish for ‘Church of Keri’. In the Domesday Roll, 20 William I (1087), this district was taxed under the name of Pen-hall-an, now Penheale<\/a>. Soon after the Norman Conquest, if not before, the De Boterells, alias De Botreauxes, were in possession of the manor. Although Penheale Manor<\/a> dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, the architecture of the house today is mainly 17th and 20th century. The estate still farms a considerable area of land, both in the parish\u2019s of Egloskerry and of North Petherwin. The village was placed on the national Railway map in 1891 with the building of the line from Launceston to Padstow. The road from North Petherwin at the junction with Langore is a consequence of the railway, as before it was just a narrow cart track, but to improve the railway communications with the outlying parishes, the North Cornwall Railway Company paid for the track to be widened and improved. For many old \u2018Skerryites\u2019 this piece of road was always known as \u2018New Road\u2019.<\/p>\n

15 January, 1892. Tenders For Building a Road. Tenders are invited for Constructing a Road from near Helscott Bridge. to join the main road from Launceston to Egloskerry chapel. The road to be made is about \u00be mile in length, 2\/3 of which will be new, the remainder being an old road, which will have to be put in repair according to the Plans. Plans and Conditions can be seen at the School House, Egloskerry, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 2 o\u2019clock, where Tenders must be sent on or before 1st February, 1892. The Committee do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any Tender.<\/em><\/p>\n

Launceston Highway Board. New Road at Egloskerry. Mr Vowler provided the Plans for the (above) road. There was to be a thickness of metaling to the extent of Four inches on the bottom, and Two inches on the surface, while on the old road there would be 3 inches of top stone.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"1887eglos01\"In the good old days when our churches were founded, it was the custom to dedicate each building to a saint, and the saint\u2019s day was kept as a holy day in each succeeding year. Both the saint\u2019s name and the holy day is said to have been forgotten at Egloskerry. Local tradition, however, assigns to Kyryacus, Bishop of Ostia, in Italy, who is said to have been martyred in 226, the patronage of this church and supposes the name has been derived from him, viz. \u2018The Church of Kerry\u2019. The first religious foundation at Egloskerry was attached to the Manor of Penheale, which manor is one of the few satisfactorily traceable from the Domesday Survey to the present time. During the reign of Edward the Confessor, Penheale (Pennehele<\/em>) and Egleshos were both held by Harold who, in 1066, fell at the battle of Hastings. In 1085 the Conqueror William took possession of Penheale and gave Egloskerry to his half-brother Robert Moreton, Earl of Cornwall. It came afterwards to Ricardus, whose son William Fitz Richard, left a daughter, and sole heiress, who married Reginald, Earl of Cornwall, son of Henry I. The Earls of Cornwall were then occasionally resident at Launceston and entrusted the spiritual welfare of their manors to the care of the Priors of Launceston<\/a>.
\nAt the time of the Dissolution, we find the prior receiving \u00a311 for tithes and a pension of \u00a31 6s 8d from Egloskerry, and also \u00a32 13s 4d for sending a Chaplain to celebrate Mass twice weekly at \u2018Penhele\u2019. Penheale has been embodied in more than one work of fiction, and especially, we think of one written by the Rev Baring-Gould of Lewtrenchard.
\nThe site of the first church was probably a portion of that occupied by the present building; remnants of early stonework have been discovered in the existing walls, notably a Norman piscine of very rare design, and a carved block of stone on which is roughly hewn a representation of the sacrificial Lamb. The font is of Norman date, as is also the now built up North doorway, over which, externally, is cut the figure of a dragon. During the 14th century, and again in the 16th century, the edifice was in great part rebuilt, and in the latter century considerably enlarged, the south aisle and the Tower then being added. There is now a nave, and chancel, north transept (locally known as the Penheale Chapel<\/em>), south aisle and porch, and a western Tower. For some reason, unknown the church was not when last built, set due east and west.
\nThe restoration of 1887\u00a0 had been contemplated for many years, but it was not until 1886 that the funds would admit of the work being commenced. Subscriptions were solicited by the Vicar (Rev Sloane-Evans<\/em>), the Churchwardens \u2013 Messrs Stenlake and Keast, all of whom worked with praiseworthy zeal for the object in view, and a sum of about \u00a3850 was obtained, leaving about \u00a3150 to be raised, the total cost having been \u00a31,000.
\nMr Otho B Peter<\/a>, ARIBA, of Launceston, the Architect of the restoration, was then consulted, and the contract taken by Mr W Burt<\/a>, St Thomas.
\nThe old building was dark, damp and full of dry rot, high pews, \u2018three-decker\u2019 pulpit, a large \u2018squire\u2019s seat\u2019 with a wooden canopy resting on four Corinthian columns; an altar tomb blocking the chancel, a pit for the Communion table to stand in, walls having been more than a foot out of the perpendicular, with ivy growing through them at many points, plastered uneven ceilings decorated with dormer windows, and a gallery blocking the tower arch \u2013 all served to make the building anything but a suitable one for prayer and thanksgiving.
\nThe change wrought by the work done is very great, in fact, one can hardly imagine it the same building. The south wall has been rebuilt, the chancel raised, the windows reglazed, the whole church reseated, the aisles tiled and the roofs renewed or repaired throughout. In the new roof over the nave on two of the new bosses are \u2018V.R.\u2019 and \u20181887\u2019, to commemorate the double event of the Jubilee and the restoration. Old monuments and sculpture stones, which before lay hidden, or almost so, have been utilised to decorate the walls, with great taste and judgement. All the fittings of the church have been renewed. Only one thing remains to complete the work, and that is a set of bells. A solitary \u2018tenor\u2019 hangs in the tower at present. The last time we heard it it was attempting to exult in the fact of a local wedding.
\nAmong the Churchwarden\u2019s accounts which lay in an ancient chest by the side of the unrestored building, we found mention of payments made in 1731 \u201cfor keeping and repairing the bells\u201d, which told the tale that in the last century there were more bells than one. The story goes that the missing bells were carried off to North Petherwin church, but we found no confirmation of this in the Parish Chest. The accounts above mentioned contain many curios entries of sums expended for \u201cseems of lime for washing the church,\u201d \u201cfor cleaning the Lord\u2019s Prayer, the Creed and Commandments,\u201d \u201cfor cleaning and drying the feather in the old pulpit cushion\u201d, \u201cfor fitchews (stoats<\/em>) heads and kites heads, (2d each<\/em>)\u201d, \u201cfor keeping the dogs out of the church, 6s.\u201d \u201cFor expenses when the King was crowned (1715-16<\/em>)\u201d. They also narrate that in 1721 there was \u2018a row\u2019 in the parish, and that \u201cMr Lyne of Launceston, received for his costs about the row \u00a321 3s 2d\u201d. This \u2018row\u2019 may have been caused by the many lawsuits and disputes which ensued after the death of John Speccott (1705<\/em>) who gave a great deal of his property to charitable uses. Here is also an interesting account of Chas. I. time (1633<\/em>), in which \u201cDigory Congdon is payed 4d for serving with the parishe armes at Lewannicke<\/a> to a private muster,\u201d and \u201cJohn Dawe received 8d for keeping the parish armes.\u201d
\nThe monuments in the church are chiefly in members of the Penheale<\/a> and Tregeare<\/a> families, but the most ancient is that called the Skinnish Monument. It formerly rested on a north transept window cill and is now layed in a niche in the eastern wall of the southern aisle. Tradition says that this marble figure was found whilst making some excavations on a farm called Skinnish near the church. It may have been hidden there in some time of religious persecution. The figure is that of a lady lying facing upwards, with hands-on breast in attitude of prayer. She is clothed in a loose robe, and from her girdle hangs a satchel, and a chain is around her neck. Over this monument on the window, cill is now placed an ancient helmet and a pair of gauntlets, the property of some hard-headed and hard-fisted Penheale knight. Next in age is a slate slab found in the south aisle; it is now fixed outside on one of the tower walls. Around its margin is a repeated design, representing a mermaid, and two unicorns guarding the heraldic rose. The inscription states that the stone is in memory of John Barne, of Badharlock, who died in 1642, and runs on in verse:-<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen not a Barne on Earth, Earth\u2019s corn shall hide,<\/em>
\nThis Barn in heaven shal be reedafide<\/em>
\n(A glorious temple ever to remaine)<\/em>
\nAnd there enjoy ye never fading graine.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The altar tomb before mentioned as situated in the chancel of the unrestored Church was in memory of \u201cGrace, the wife of Paul Speccott, of Penheale, who was buried 27th November 1636.\u201d Most of the stonework of this tomb has been reused in building a parapet wall on the south of the chancel. On one of its side slabs, now too decayed to be fully deciphered, was the following inscription:-\u201cGrace Speccott.} anagram Go, accept rest\u201d}
\n\u201cG \u2013 o, peaceful Sainte, Go, accept rest!
\nR \u2013 styer\u2019d betime, Heaven call the best
\nA \u2013 way to make its Harmony
\nC \u2013 omplete \u2013 with angry Deitye
\nE \u2013 re wee could patterne take of thee.\u201d x x x.
\nThere is another monument to the Speccots on the south aisle wall (originally on the north Chancel wall<\/em>), commemorating the death of William Saltren, of Treluddick, who died 1742. It was formerly outside the south aisle eastern wall.
\nOther wall monuments and brasses are in memory \u201cDeath no distinction makes twixt mean and great
\nof the Lethbridges of Tregeare, and of the Simcoes For kings or nobles must expect to have
\nof Penheale. They date from 1832 to 1885, the last No better treatment in the silent grave:
\nbeing a brass in memory of, amongst other For the worms they\u2019ll prove not more delicious treats
\nmembers of the family, \u201cPhillip Francis Simcoe, Than humble beggars or the meanest slave.\u201d
\nMA. JP., fourth son of the Rev Henry Addington
\nSimcoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

A new organ was purchased in 1896 costing \u00a3112, towards which \u00a3105 was in hand.<\/p>\n

With the school being moved to a new site on the Egloskerry to Tresmeer Road in 1913, the old school building was purchased by the parochial church council for a sum of \u00a3125 in April 1914, to be used as a new church room, thus negating the need to build a new building themselves.<\/p>\n

Trigg Major Magazine report, Egloskerry 1914: May. Since our last month\u2019s notes were in the printer\u2019s hands, the idea of building a new Church Room has been abandoned, the Schoolroom having been kindly offered to the committee by GR Vowler, Esq. for the sum of \u00a3125. free of conveyance. The contract was signed on April 18th., and a deposit of \u00a325. paid to Messrs. Peter & Son \u2013 the balance to be met by June 24th. Some alterations and repairs are needed, the cost of which, together with the provision of seating, will amount to about \u00a350. Of the total amount required, \u00a374 is already in hand or promised (including, with the sanction of Messrs Barclays Bank in the name of the Vicar and Churchwardens), and further subscriptions will be thankfully received. EGB Lethbridge, Esq., Tregeare, has kindly consented to act as Treasurer of the Fund.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Cornish & Devon Post, February 14th, 1920: Fire At Egloskerry Church.
\n\"egloskerry-church-fire-of-1920\"On Sunday afternoon (8th February<\/em>) Egloskerry Parish Church, which has seating for 235 persons, narrowly escaped being burned to the ground. About 2 pm, smoke was seen issuing from the roof of the south aisle and after an entrance had been effected it looked as if the flames would cross over to the north aisle. Fortunately, there was very little wind and the vigilance and promptitude of action of those assembled practically confined the fire to the south roof, two-thirds of which was quite destroyed.
\n(Our Correspondent writes<\/em>}: Consternation prevailed at Egloskerry on Sunday afternoon when the news spread of a serious outbreak of fire at Egloskerry Parish church. In a short space of time, streams of people were hurrying to the scene from all directions and on arrival no time was lost in procuring all available buckets, baths, and water carrying vessels, and immediately putting them to use whilst waiting the arrival of the Launceston Fire Brigade which had been telephoned for as soon as the discovery was made.
\nsome members of the fire brigade arrived in advance of the main body with the fire engine and joined the many willing helpers from the village and neighbourhood who worked with a will carrying water from every available pump and well in the vicinity. Men, women and children alike put great efforts in assisting to subdue the flames and to particularise any special mention would be invidious as all worked like Trojans to save the building from destruction. But it may be said that the Wesleyans gave up their Sunday School and with many others assembled rendered praiseworthy services. Fire extinguishers were lent by Messrs G R Vowler (Penheale<\/em>) and F A Bate (Moor View<\/em>), Egloskerry.
\nRev J H Thomas (vicar<\/em>) was taking the afternoon service at Tremaine Church and was informed of the occurrence by special messenger. Openings in the roof were made in advance of the flames, and here constant streams of water were poured from buckets carried over ladders. Inside the building also a large quantity of water was thrown, which no doubt saved the seats (of pitch pine wood<\/em>) from becoming ignited. All the available church furniture was removed into neighbouring dwellings.
\nNear the seat of the origin of the fire was the Norman font and this happily appears to be undamaged, and as far as can be ascertained little or no damage had been caused to the seats, windows or walls. The pulpit and organ being at the opposite end of the seat of the fire also escaped damage.
\nThe fire was well under control on the arrival of the fire brigade<\/a>, but a considerable amount of work was left to be done as there was a large quantity of unsubdued fire under the roof. An adequate supply of water for the fire engine was urgent after utilising all the available water in the well in Mr W S Jenkins\u2019 orchard (from which a large quantity had been carried by buckets previously). The fire hose was placed in the main water supply of the village, which provided a constant supply. This happily did away with the necessity from the River Kensey, over a quarter of a mile distant, and the brigade, under the command of Captain F Raddall and Lt WT Mills<\/a>, soon had a steady supply of water playing on the burning building and speedily extinguished the flames. The police in attendance were Sgt Cleave, of Launceston, and PC Warren, Egloskerry, whilst Mr G R Vowler, representing the Royal Exchange Assurance Company (with whom the building was insured<\/em>), was also present.
\nThe fire originated in the west end of the church, where there was a slow combustion stove used for heating the church, and the fire was probably caused through the overheating of the pipes igniting the pitch pine woodwork of the roof. The fire was lit in the stove between 6 and 7 in the morning. Services were held at 8 and 11 am, and when the vicar and his warden left the building about 12.30 pm. everything appeared safe. The church was restored in 1887 at a cost of \u00a31,000, and the Registers date from the year 1575.
\nMr GH Ellacott of Badharlick, whilst assisting in removing the church furniture had the misfortune to injure his finger which necessitated medical aid.
\nThe news was received at Launceston about half-past two and the fire bell at St Mary Magdalene Church<\/a> was soon in motion. Some of the members of the fire brigade were at the time attending Divine worship, which they immediately forsook and made for their post. A full brigade mustered and the horses borrowed from Mr J B Smith<\/a>, Castle Temperance Hotel, were driven by Mr Pethick; Captain C Raddall, with two or three men, left immediately by car for Egloskerry, and were followed shortly afterwards by the engine, the steam for which was got up in an incredibly short space of time.
\nWhen the brigade arrived at the scene they found that part of the roof was well afire and a corner of the second gable in danger. After the fire had been extinguished the brigade left, arriving home at about 7 pm.<\/p>\n

\n

Post & News 4 January 1896: Re-Opening of the Wesleyan Chapel, Egloskerry.
\nThe trustees and congregation of Egloskerry Wesleyan Chapel are to be congratulated on their enterprise and its most satisfactory results in regard to their chapel. The chapel was renovated some 30 years ago, but time and weather had necessitated <\/em>its being done up once more. <\/em>Accordingly, the trustees \u2013 Messrs Bate, W Grylls, E Pethybridge, W Browning, J Kittow, Harvey, and J Rawling, with the aid of the friends at Egloskerry formulated a scheme for restoration.<\/em>
\nAbout four months ago the work was commenced by Messrs E Sharland & Truscott, Mr Congdon of Launceston, kindly giving his services as an architect. One hundred and twenty pounds have been spent on the repairs, of which \u00a360 was raised by the energies of Mrs J Couch and Messrs Landry, Phillips, Pethick, and <\/em>Sambells, prior to the re-opening.<\/em>
\nThe chapel has been re-plastered inside and outside, a new ceiling has been made, whilst the whole of the old high-backed seats have been removed and new pitch pine low seats substituted. The old pulpit has been removed, and a platform erected at one end with a desk instead of the pulpit. The raised end has been levelled and new flooring inserted throughout the chapel. The carriage house has also been considerably enlarged. Four new oil lamps, each 100 candle power, have been added, and the old ones removed to the <\/em>schoolroom where the services have been held during the renovations.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"The
The mains water for Egloskerry is turned on by Sir Harold Roper in 1959.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Egloskerry Gallery.<\/strong><\/p>\n