St Martin's Church, Liskeard

St Martin’s Church, Liskeard is a Church of England parish church in Liskeard, Cornwall, the second largest parish church in Cornwall after St Petroc's Church, Bodmin.[3]

St Martin’s Church, Liskeard
St Martin’s Church, Liskeard
St Martin’s Church, Liskeard
Location within Cornwall
50°27′11.28″N 04°27′36.65″W
LocationLiskeard, Cornwall
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
ChurchmanshipBroad Church
History
DedicationMartin of Tours
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade II* listed[1]
Specifications
Length136 feet (41 m)
Width58 feet (18 m)
Height85 feet (26 m)
Spire height85 feet (26 m)
Administration
ParishLiskeard
DeaneryWest Wivelshire[2]
ArchdeaconryBodmin
DioceseTruro
ProvinceCanterbury

History
The squint

The church includes some Norman fragments, but is mostly 15th century. The South Chapel dates from 1428, the south chancel aisle from 1430, and additions to the north side from 1477. The tower was repaired in 1675, but was largely rebuilt between 1898 and 1902 at a cost of £6,400 (equivalent to £699,900 in 2019)[4] by John Sampson of Liskeard.[5]

The structure of the church was restored in 1878–1879 at a cost of over £3,700 (equivalent to £379,000 in 2019)[4] under the direction of Richard Coad, architect, of Liskeard and London, by the contractor Mr. Lang.[6][7] There was a further restoration in 1890 for the interior.

Tencreek cross and Culverland cross are stone crosses in the churchyard. The former was found in 1903 at Tencreek Farm and was moved to the churchyard in 1908. The latter was also moved here in 1908 and is thought to have come from a site near Trevecca.[8]

Renovation

In late 2018 St Martin's Church undertaken a major renovation in which the church was closed until the 9th of September;[9] parishioners would have had to use St Keyne’s Church, or attend services held in the church halls St Keyne until the renovation was complete. The renovation replaced the pews with stow-able chairs, a new heating system, much improved AV facilities, improved toilets, and added the welcome addition of a small cafe.

Organ

An organ was installed in 1844 by James Chapman Bishop at a cost of £300 (equivalent to £29,700 in 2019).[4] It was opened on 24 November 1844 by Mr Marsh, late organist at Penzance.[10] This was replaced (except for two stops which were retained) in 1879 at a cost of £200 (equivalent to £20,500 in 2019)[4] by an organ built by Hele and Company.[11] This was renovated and enlarged in 1914 by William Hill and Son. In 1923 by Hele and Company rebuilt it with tubular pneumatic action at a cost of £1,000 (equivalent to £57,500 in 2019).[4] The opening recital was given by Hubert Stanley Middleton on 20 June 1923.[12] It was restored again in 1980 by Lance Foy. It now contains three manuals and 40 speaking stops. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[13]

The bells

The tower currently has eight bells in the key of E flat.[14] The 1st, 2nd and 6th are by Mears and Stainbank dating from 1901, the 3rd is by John Pennington from 1819, the 4th is by Christopher Pennington dating from 1755, the 5th is by Thomas Mears from 1825, the 7ths is from 1735 by John Peninngton, and the tenor of 13.41 long hundredweight (681 kg) is by Christopher Pennington of 1755.

Parish status

The church is in a joint parish with St Keyne’s Church, St Keyne.

References
  1. Historic England, "Parish Church of St Martin (1206300)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 26 November 2017
  2. "Liskeard: St Martin, Liskeard". A Church Near You. The Church of England. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  3. Pevsner, Nikolaus; Radcliffe, Enid (1970). The Buildings of England. Cornwall. Yale University Press. p. 103. ISBN 0140710019.
  4. UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  5. "Liskeard Parish Church. The New Tower, Bells, and Windows". Western Morning News. England. 31 December 1902. Retrieved 26 November 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "The Reopening of Liskeard Church". The Star. England. 25 March 1879. Retrieved 26 November 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. "Liskeard Church". The Cornishman (269). 6 September 183. p. 6.
  8. Langdon, A. G. (2005) Stone Crosses in East Cornwall; 2nd ed. Federation of Old Cornwall Societies; pp. 46-47
  9. "Rededication of St Martin's Church". liskeard-visit 18. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  10. "Liskeard". Royal Cornwall Gazette. England. 22 November 1844. Retrieved 26 November 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. "Organ Re-opening at Liskeard Church". West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser. England. 10 July 1879. Retrieved 26 November 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. "£1,000 organ improvement". West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser. England. 21 June 1923. Retrieved 26 November 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. "NPOR D07642". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  14. "Liskeard, Cornwall S Martin". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Dovemaster. 19 June 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
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