St Columba

Desk Front and Desk End – Photograph (PWDRO 116/70) R.F. Wheatly architect; after 1922

One of the ends dating from 1510 (Cooke, undated) has been used to complete this desk in the south aisle. The new front and the other end were carved in memory of Catherine Childs-Clarke, who died at St Columb Rectory in July 1922.

St Columb Major Panelling
Panelling in children’s corner at St Columb Major

Screen – Photograph (PWDRO 244/3) R.F. Wheatly architect; after 1928

The screen on the north side that encloses the choir vestry and organ chamber is dedicated to John Cawful Mackay (died 1909), Mary Elizabeth Mackay (died 1926) and Caroline Whitford (died 1928).

Jesus Chantry South Transept

The items below were commissioned as part of the restoration of the Jesus Chantry in the south transept. A faculty was granted in May 1932 to create a children’s chapel and to erect a WWI memorial (CRO D/R 10/10) and plans were drawn up by R.F. Wheatly (CRO D/R 40).

Candleholder – Photograph (PWDRO 116/70) R.F. Wheatly architect; 1932

This floor-standing Candleholder is situated on the left of the altar and is dedicated to the memory of George Laity (died 1931).

Panelling – Newspaper article (Western Weekly News, 1932); 1932

There is no photograph of this work in PWDRO, but it is mentioned during an interview of Violet Pinwill by Betty Crisp in 1932. The carved panelling with coloured coats of arms were in the workshop at the time and were described as being for a children’s corner at St Columb. The panelling forms a reredos, either side of a carved canopy, in which stands a figure ‘Christ the Leader’, which is not Pinwill work (Cooke, undated).

WWI Memorial – Photograph (PWDRO 116/70) R.F. Wheatly architect; 1932

This highly carved memorial is in the form of a corner canopy, in which hangs a lamp of remembrance. Inside the canopy is a roll of honour of the men of St Columb, St Eval, St Mawgan and St Wenn (CRO D/R 10/10).

Sources

Cooke, A. G. (undated) History of St. Columb Parish Church.

CRO D/R 10/10 Faculty Petition. St Columb Major. Children’s Chapel and War Memorial.

CRO D/R 40 Faculty Plans. St Columb Major. Children’s Corner.

PWDRO 116/70 Photographs. St Columb Major. Desk Front and End, Candleholder and War Memorial.

PWDRO 244/3 Photograph Album. Various. Woodcarvings.

Western Weekly News (1934) Westcountry Women’s Careers. No. 4. A Plymouth Woodcarver. 22 September pp. 4 & 21.