England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Gorran St Gorran

The Parish

The Church

St Gorran's church, the dedication refers to a local Cornish saint from Bodmin, lies in the small settlement of Gorran Churchtown on the ridge above the Haven. A church is first mentioned here in 1086, perhaps a monastic foundation Pevsner thinks, but of that church nothing remains today. The earliest fabric today is the blocked door of the northern side of the nave which is 13th century and Early English Gothic style. The same age, as demonstrated by its lancet windows, is the northern transept albeit the arch joining it to the nave is 14th century. Whilst a few more details indicate 14th century most of the remainder of the church dates from a major rebuild during the 15th century including the church's standout feature its 90 feet high western tower of 3 stages which Pevsner places to the end of the 15th or even the 16th century. The southern porch, too, is of the 15th  century and comes complete with a battlemented parapet and 2 pinnacles. The southern aisle is also of merit, its 8-bay arcade indicative of the size of the congregation and uses the local granite to good effect. A substantial Victorian restoration covering 1874 - 1878 largely tackled the church's roofing, flooring and the windows. A ratherr tight entrance to the small car park might deter many from its use but street parking is possible close by. A steep (10 steps) flight of stairs leads to the churchyard from the main lane through Gorran Churchtown to reach the churchyard. Sadly for the photographer the church sits tight to the southern edges where mature trees totally remove the favoured aspects from the photographer's portfolio, all other angles are open but still make for a challenge on a sunny day.