St Sancredus stands at the centre of the village of Sancreed, off the beaten track in Penwith. It was under a massive restoration programme when we first visited, shrouded in scaffolding both inside and out, but it was possible to tell that it is an impressive church with a C14 unbuttressed tower and C15 south porch.

A return visit confirmed that it is actually a fine church of nave, one of those large north transepts, leading up to a rather lovely 1940s east window with sensitive glass, and a light south aisle. It must have served a wide area.

JD Sedding was responsible for the C19 ‘thoughtful’ restoration to which will probably be added the C21 one which involved the removal of all the plaster.

The C15 font is of the St Ives style, with angels holding shields at each corner.

The C19 chancel ceiling is unusual, consisting of a series of wooden coloured panels.

The bottom half of the former C15 rood screen survives, thoughtfully re-coloured, and including a jester blowing a trumpet, a snake winding up it and a goat among thistles.

A C19 reredos of the Nativity scene by Sedding has been moved to the north wall of the choir, while the south aisles contains a touching 1916 memorial to William Stanhope Forbes, carved by his artist father. Like the Robartes memorial at Lanhydrock and in Truro Cathedral, the original battlefield wooden cross survives and is displayed alongside a large marble memorial.

Outside, in the churchyard, there are two very important’ wheel-headed crosses. One bears a figure and is inscribed ‘Runho’, the other has a Christ crucified. We spotted at least one more and the fragment of a fourth on the gatepost.

One author praises the ‘significant’ mounting block but it is hard to see why such a common item should stand out for praise.

A short distance away to the south is the saint’s well and accompanying chapel which are adorned with votive offerings.