The restored lych-gate is a very interesting slate-faced building. There are only two other similar buildings in Cornwall. Over the centuries it has had many roles. For many generations it was the Parish Vestry Room, where rates were made and relief granted to the poor. Later it became the village school. From 1840 – 1872 the downstairs’ room was a pig sty and now, the upstairs room is an artist’s studio.
Set in the churchyard on the south side of the church, and to the East of the church porch, is a scheduled ancient monument – the Ignioc Stone.
This impressive granite pillar bears three sets of inscriptions, all carved at different times. The earliest was carved between AD 500 – 600 and the latest during the 12th or 13th century.
In the church porch there are a set of stocks. In 1688 these stocks were in St Austell. That year, Anne Upcott, the daughter of the Vicar of St Austell and St Clement, was put in the stocks because she had joined the Quakers – they were very unpopular at the time. Anne’s father and brother jeered at her. In 1787 the same stocks were put at the end of New Bridge Street in Truro.
The marble monument on the South wall of the aisle is a very beautifully carved marble memorial to Samuel Thomas (1796.)
It is two allegorical figures against a pyramid and is signed by Bacon, 1770. It is described as “one of the finest pieces of marble sculpture in the West.”
The East window is of particular interest. Its bright colours with anchors and ropes, the emblems of the patron saint, are due to the fact that this is an Enamel painted window and not the usual stained glass. This was a technique used in the 17th and 18th centuries and discarded in the Gothic revival of the 19th century. It is of interest and value on account of its rarity.
The 14th century octangular font has panelled sides with carvings of quadrafoils and cusped trefoils. It was discovered in a ditch in 1864, (where it had lain for 60 years,) by the then Vicar and restored to its proper use.
Up by the altar is a ceremonial Bishop’s chair. It is carved in the style of the reign of Charles 1. Its back portrays Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The pulpit is a very fine piece of green serpentine from the Lizard.
The beautiful oak lectern has been made by a member of the current congregation, Terry White.
He has made this altar lectern with its carved anchor and also one to fit the font for use at baptisms. They were dedicated in 2015.
See if you can find the unusual carved pillar Alms box dated 1728 – it is no longer used as an Alms box. There is a similar one in the Church of St Mylor.