St Gothian’s Church in Gwithian

The coastal village of Gwithian in Cornwall, situated in St Ives Bay, is home to the iconic Godrevy Lighthouse, National Trust site of Godrevy Farm and home to a number of places for food and drink, including Sunset Surf and The Jam Pot Cafe.

A short walk along St Gothian Sands behind Gwithian Beach takes you to the residential village, where there’s a camping and caravan site and a pub, the Red River Inn. Only next door to the Red River Inn is St Gothian’s Church (also known as Gwithian Church) which works closely with St Elwyn’s in Hayle.

The church is open for visitors every day, as well as offering Sunday church services. I came to visit some war memorials whereby there’s three at the church; one tablet outside in the porch and the other two are inside as a painting with a roll of honour and a stained glass window, including five Commonwealth War Graves in the graveyard.

St Gothian’s Church is your typical small village church that’s very small and cute, carrying cottagecore vibes. As you come in, you’ll notice lots of books, CDs and DVDs for people to bring and borrow stacked neatly in the porch where the entrance is.

Memorial 1 of 3: Gwithian Church War Memorial

In the porch is the first war memorial visitors will see; the Gwithian Church War Memorial, a stone tablet with names of locals who fought and lost their lives in the conflicts.

Of the names listed, those of the First and Second World Wars are titled with the years of the wars (WW1 1914-1918 and WW2 1939-1945) as well as each individual’s service abbreviated next to their name. The majority of these names are also listed on the church's other two memorials. 

 

Memorial reads: GWITHIAN CHURCH WAR MEMORIAL / IN MEMORY OF / 1914-1918 / *names* / 1939-1945 / *names* 

You can find out more information about these people here. 

There’s a sense of peace when you’re inside the church, like you’re very connected and thoughtful. As well as lots of books and toys for the children, there’s a beautiful mixed media tapestry of St Ives Bay with Godrevy Lighthouse; possibly made by the local community. 

Memorial 2 of 3: Gwithian Church WW2 Stained Glass Window

Further in towards the back to middle pews, on the left if you’re facing the altar, is a stained glass window of a biblical angel standing majestically on top of a cross; the second war memorial located at the church. The stained glass window is suspended from a rod in front of the church window where the colours will reflectively penetrate at sunrise, carrying the legacy of the fallen whose names are etched under the angel.

 

Memorial Reads: To The Glory of God / In Memory of / Cyril Hanson RAF / Leslie Oliver DCLI / Clarence Peters DCLI / Who Gave Their Lives in the 1939-1945 War. / "Thy Will Be Done." 

RAF = Royal Air Force 

DCLI = Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

Memorial 3 of 3: Gwithian Church Roll of Honour

A couple of pews forward from the stained glass window, mounted on the same wall is Gwithian's Roll of Honour of both the First and Second World Wars. Above the listed names is a painting of a sailor and soldier proudly standing to attention with a Union Jack flag flying behind them; symbolising king and country, patriotic propaganda and those listed had served in the navy or army. 

This is the most powerful memorial out of the three at the church; firstly, a lot of the listed names have been listed on the previous two memorials which confirms the individual's locality, including names who had not yet been mentioned, secondly the roll of honour had been extended to honour those who died in the Second World War after this particular memorial was unveiled after the First World War. Most of all, what stood out to me is there is a very short explanation on each listed individual's manner of death. Edwardian handwriting can be difficult to read, but if you look very closely, you can definitely learn more about each individual. 

Memorial reads: In Memoriam 1914-18 / *names* / Jesu, mercy / *names* / 1939-45 / *names*

The first three names, Thomas Bate, H. Sydney Hearn and James Menhennst were sailors on board HMS Monmouth, which was sunk during the Battle of Coronel, 1st November 1914 off the coast of Chile. These brave sailors went down with the ship as the Monmouth was lost with all hands. 

CWGC - Leading Seaman Thomas Bate 

CWGC - Petty Officer Hannibal Sydney Hearn

[No CWGC record of James Menhennst] 

The next set of names served in the army, some were killed in action, some were declared missing and some were assumed dead by the War Office. The Second World War extension has some names already listed on the church's other two memorials: Clarence Peters (Listed as "William Clarence Peters" on the church door tablet), Flight Sergeant Cyril Hanson ("Cyril Richard Hanson" on the church door tablet), Paratrooper Raymond Masters of the 12th Devon Battalion, Gunner Leslie Oliver and Private Alfred Lee. 

Commonwealth War Graves at Gwithian Church 

Gwithian church has five CWCG burials plots in its graveyard: two army and three navy. I did not come across the army graves but I stumbled upon the three naval graves; lined up vertically, one behind the other.

These sailors are not stated on any of the church's memorials, nor are they locals.

Able Seaman H. Magnusson 

Sailor William McGarva

Petty Officer Stoker William Wheelhouse

Click here to learn more about the CWGC graves at Gwithian (St Gothian) Church

I was also inspired by the different designs on the prayer kneeling cushions in the church; there were so many creative designs that I noticed there were some dedicated to service, such as the Metropolitan Police. The ones I’m using for my cross stitch embroidery ideas are ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) and the RAF.