Chapel of the Community of the Epiphany
A large mid-C19 house built for a Mr Tweedy was converted c. 1880 to a convent to house the Anglican Community of the Epiphany, supported by the Diocese of Truro. In 1903-1904 Edmund H. Sedding added a north wing in a free Gothic style to provide additional accommodation for the nuns and in 1908-1910 he designed a new chapel to the south in the Early English style (Historic England Alverton Manor Hotel). For the decoration and furnishing of this chapel, Sedding engaged a number of contractors including R. Pinwill, wood carver of Plymouth (Kresen Kernow X1143/3/11). A newspaper report of the dedication of the new chapel by the Bishop of Truro on 6 August 1910 states that the ‘stalls and screen are the work of Miss Pinwill, of Plymouth, while the panels of the gallery front have been carved by craftswomen of the community’ (Western Morning News, 1910).
The house is now converted to a hotel, with the chapel used as a wedding venue. Although a visit was made to the chapel in 2017, information on the involvement of Violet Pinwill was not then available and further investigation is now needed to ascertain whether the stalls and screen she carved are still in place.
Sources
Kresen Kernow X1143/3/11 Correspondence and receipts, building of chapel, Community of the Epiphany.
Western Morning News (1910) Chapel of the Epiphany, Truro. 11 August p. 7.