St Just in Roseland Church is one of Cornwall’s most visited churches. The 13th century church is set amongst beautiful gardens beside a peaceful tidal creek. A local legend tells of Joseph of Arimathea bringing his boy nephew, Jesus, to Cornwall, and that he landed at St Just in Roseland.
The church is on the site of a 6th century Celtic chapel, and for 400 years after its foundation it was served by clergy from the adjacent cell of Lanzeague, until Roseland was taken over by the Saxon Bishops of Crediton and Exeter. Robert, Bishop of Exeter, gave St Just Church to the Canons of Plympton Priory in 1140, but the patronage was bought back in 1190 by John le Sor, Lord of Tolverne for a yearly sum of 13s 4d, which would be paid out of the Benefice to the Priory.
The present church was dedicated to St Just on 14th August 1261, by Walter, Bishop of Exeter, and the Chancel, with its double piscina, is of this date. The parish registers date from 1538.
We were the only three in the church and it was pouring with rain outside, so was a bit of a haven. I lit a candle for Maurice and all dear friends that are no longer with us.
The gardens are full of tropical plants, and the combination of the church on the water’s edge and the wonderful flowers and shrubs in the churchyard are what gives the church its uniqueness. The path down to the church from the road is lined with granite stones which are carved with quotations and verses taken from the Bible.
From St Just Church we went to Porthcurnick beach which is an isolated sandy beach backed by high cliffs close to Portscatho on the Roseland Peninsula. We walked along the coastal footpath to Portscatho around St Anthony Headland to the west.
Portscatho is a charming unspoilt fishing village with a picturesque harbour and fine views across Gerrans Bay. The houses are whitewashed and very quaint. There are some amazing galleries in this tiny town.
A great day and now back home to defrost and sit by the log fire!!
