The 21st Century

The Chapel, south aisle, dedicated to The Rev. Alfred Hancock.             

Alfred was involved in plans for changing the use of this aisle.

This chapel provides a versatile space for reflection or meeting.

Into this quiet space the light pours through the windows to the south

and the east at all times of the year, passing over and through the

altar,  over the wooden floorand moveable seating.

The altar surface is Delabole slate and  the body is a shaped wooden

vessel-form. The slowly grown Cornish oak used to make this shape

is full of colours,  knots and swirls of grain. The shape may be seen to symbolise a pair of cupped hands palm to palm, a nest,

a basket, or a ship. Figuratively it can hold the ideas, hopes  and cares of people. St Gwinear would have used small vessels in order

to move between Ireland, Brittany, and, of course,  our north coast.  Although folklore suggests a millstone as a vessel, it is probable

that travellers did voyage in seaworthy hide-covered boats.                        ( Simon Gendell )

 Tapestry work

 

Congregation members and friends worked on tapestry 

hassocks,  and seat covers which used different tapestry

stitches to represent the field patterns around the village.

 

 

A Chalice for St Gwinear-   -the gift of Charles and Diana Hall

A sterling silver chalice  designed and made by Charles and Diana to mark the dedication of the Alfred Hancock

Memorial Chapel. The chalice reflects Charles’ practice of thirty six years working in West

Penwith’s landscape..It speaks of  St Gwinear’s simple life dedicated to the spread of

Christianity.  The hand raised bowl and stem bear the marks of the hammer,  reflecting

light like sun on water. The knop is formed using stones from the beach between Hayle

and Gwithian in their natural shape.This chalice looks back to the essence of Christianity.

in it’s simplicity,  and  looks forward with it’s purity of line.

The patten is encircled with shapes reminiscent of the   railways and their       

  tunnels.  It was donated by someone who shared Alfred’s interest in trai

  and railways.

 

Penwith Impressions 

Sixteen sets of flying fingers went to work in 2011 creating pew runners.

As people finish the long strips they bring out the colours of Penwith. The idea  for such a project

came from the way the greenery in the Churchyard was reflected through the tiny diamond panes in the south aisle.

The runners move from the green diamond impressions  to a touch of the thrift at the edge of the cliffs at Godrevy.

Both sides of the centre aisle  remind us of St Gwinears journeys by sea to Godrevy, and before that to Pluvigner.

Tapestry Pew runners

               Thrift on the cliffs at Godrevy                                                        Godrevy light  looking towards the shore.

 

 

 

                                               by John Fox                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                        by Beth Saundry

 

                    Calm shoreline at Gwithian                                                            Gorse on the cliffs at Perranuthnoe

 

                         

                              A helicopter hovers near Godrevy!!!!!

                                           

                      Heather at Porthgwarra                                                

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   and finally the diamond effect in greens, thrift and the sea

   at Godrevy, 

   the central aisle  when finished will have sea all the way,

   as a link from the long kneeler in the Chancel which tells

   the story of Saint Gwinear,