St Hilary Heritage Centre

Discover the fascinating story of St Hilary: with its historic links to St Michael's Mount, it has a rich and celebrated history from pre-historic times to the present day, including unique links with the Newlyn Artists. The Procters, Harveys, Knights, Garstins & Walkes were all involved in the unique scheme of decoration of the church which has led to its Grade 1 listing.

* Roman Milestone * Medieval French Spire * 1790s Vicar was first 'Computer' * Mining - Emigration & family records * Bernard Walke - controversial vicar 1912-1936 * Christmas Plays - first BBC outside broadcast * Turbulent church history in 1930s * Pictures of the Celtic Saints by the Newlyn artists

Chancel panels - Celtic Saints

The church has many works by artists of the Newlyn School of the 1920s and 1930s. The pulpit and chancel are decorated with pictures telling stories of Celtic Saints. There are also paintings and sculptures by earlier artists of note and a Roger Fry "St Francis".
St Hilary miner's grave in Mexico

Mining was hugely important in this area until the early twentieth century, but its collapse led to wholesale emigration to mining areas throughout the world. Today their descendents return in great numbers and find much of interest here in their quest for their roots.
St Hilary's fascinating Churchyard
Noti Noti Stone

This is an ancient site. A mysterious menir inscribed NOTI NOTI (possibly meaning Noti son of Noti) Celtic crosses and a Roman inscribed boundary stone may be seen here and the churchyard contains many fine tombs of locally important people, including three Newlyn School artists
Hon Gerard Collier

Visit St Hilary to see Ernest Procter’s memorial to the Hon Gerard Collier, WEA pioneer and active worker for peace, who tried to open a disused tin mine to alleviate the chronic unemployment in Cornwall after the first World War. Featured in 100 Faces 100 Stories leaflet – a Cornish collection illuminating the First World War. www.100firstworldwarstories.co.uk

Admission & prices

The Heritage Centre is now closed for the winter. We hope (pandemic permitting) to open in 2022 on Easter Wednesday & Friday (20 & 22 April) and then from May 4 on Wednesdays and Fridays until the end of September. However we are able to arrange visits for those undertaking research please contact us to make an appointment.

St Hilary Church is open every day from 11.00 am - 4.00 pm.

Find us

From A30 by Marazion take A394 (Helston) to next roundabout. Take B3280 (Leedstown) through Goldsithney to the St Hilary name sign and turn next LEFT into Chynoweth Lane and IMMEDIATELY LEFT AGAIN. Follow the lane to the Centre and St Hilary church.

Information

NOTE:The church is fully accessible, with a wide door and no steps. The Heritage Centre and toilet facilities are on the ground floor but have rather narrow doors. The cafe is upstairs and has no wheelchair access.

The St Hilary Local History Group is now in abeyance until further notice.

The St Hilary Local History Group, based at the Centre, organizes lectures and other activities monthly and non-members are warmly welcomed.

We are always grateful for contributions of material for our various archives.
The Heritage Centre is a community venture and Volunteers to help at the Centre are always welcome. Please contact us if you would like to help.

For details of services at St Hilary Church: https://mountsbayub.wordpress.com

St Hilary Heritage Centre
St Hilary Churchtown
Penzance
Cornwall
Near Penzance
TR20 9DQ

T: 01326 560970
E: carrietamarisk@gmail.com