Church Heritage Record 639241

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Tresmere: St Nicholas

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Tresmere: St Nicholas
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Closed Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

639241
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Truro
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Bodmin
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Egloskerry with Tresmere

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade II* Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is a Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct
View more information about this Scheduled Monument on the National Heritage List for England web site

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Victorian/Pre-WWI

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 639241 Tresmere St Nicholas
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of 639241 Tresmere St Nicholas
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Exterior view from the west. Photograph taken on 26th January 2015.
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

2015
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Gabriel Byng

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
From the exterior the nave and chancel are indistinguishable. They have one-, two-, and three-light windows, apparently reusing medieval masonry, each composed of lancets without a surrounding arch. The south porch is a small gabled structure with double-chamfered doorway. The vestry has a three-light window to the north and a two-light window to the west with trefoil heads. To the east is a shouldered doorway.

Visiting and Facilities

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The church is closed for worship.
Date closed for worship: Unknown
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

Work in progress - can you help?

Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Gabriel Byng (2015) Exterior image of 639241 Tresmere St Nicholas [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 639241 Tresmere St Nicholas
Gabriel Byng (2015) Interior image of 639241 Tresmere St Nicholas [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 639241 Tresmere St Nicholas
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 1 Bell [Archive/Index]
1 Bell

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SX 233 874

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Cornwall

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

Tresmeer is located in east Cornwall, a short distance from the Devon border and in the midst of rolling countryside. The nearest town is Launceston, reached via the larger village of Egloskerry, to the east. The village is located just off the A395, which runs to the S. The nearest major town is Bodmin, some 25 miles to the southwest. The river Kensey runs to the S of the village and two tributaries connect to the village.

The church is located to the west of the main road through the village with residential properties to N, S, and E, and open fields to the W. However, as the churchyard is significantly higher than the road level, the church is not easily visible and can be missed by passing motorists. There are working farm buildings to the S. The church is the only historic building in the immediate vicinity and an important guide to the historic development of the village.

The churchyard is a reasonably sized grassy area that stretches away to every side of the church. There are no paths and the churchyard is bounded to every side by hedges and trees, and to the S and E by a steep drop. It forms a picturesque setting for the church.

The churchyard includes several headstones of good quality from the 1830s-90s as well as other modern headstones (the most recent are of the early 2000s) that are largely detrimental to the church’s setting. The best headstones are in slate and have good decorative carving and lettering. Some are from a number of once-prominent local families, whose lineage can be traced through the ages.

There are two entrances to the nave: one up a sloping path to the E, which connects with the main road, and the other accessed down a gently sloping grassy path to the W and leading into the back garden of a neighbouring house. They have metal gates. There is no access for vehicles. There are steps up to the chancel and the sanctuary.

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

West tower; nave and chancel with no structural division; vestry on north side of the chancel; south-west porch.

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

134 m2

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

The site has high archaeological potential.

There are considerable burials from the 1830s to the early C21 throughout the churchyard.

There is little available research into the early history of Tresmeer. Launceston was a Celtic foundation of some importance by the arrival of the Normans. Robert of Mortain was made Earl of Cornwall in 1067 and built the first castle at Launceston, renewed in stone by Richard, the brother of King Henry III, in 1227. It was the only walled town in Cornwall and had a mint and an abbey. Tresmeer, like Launceston, stood close to the main road from Devon to Cornwall.

Tresmeer church began as a small Norman chapel managed by the Priors of Launceston, although partly endowed by the Prior of Tywardreath. Ownership passed to Sir John Molesworth and Francis Mannaton. It was dedicated to St Winwolaus in 1505, apparently a mistaken interpretation of Nicholas (by which the church was known by 1600).

The earliest built elements in the village are the C13 remains in the parish church – although rebuilt into the Victorian fabric of the nave and chancel. There is little to suggest this was a large building – all that survives are window mullions, a holy water stoup (possibly later) and a piscina. Preceding these, however, is the font, in a simple Romanesque design.

The next wave of building that can still be discerned is the west tower – an attractive unbuttressed structure, with pediment, plinth and spiral staircase.

The earliest monument dates from the end of C17 and may represent local growing prosperity as the area recovered from Royalist losses in the Civil Wars and Launceston grew into a prosperous market town. A wave of well-cut and handsome monuments can be found in the church from the late C18 (internally) and from the 1830s (externally). Wesley preached on numerous occasions here in the 1740s-50s.

The final major wave of building work at the church was carried out in 1879-81 by which time it was severely decayed and infestation. The total cost was £850 and several important furnishings were lost (although others, as noted, were retained in the new fabric).

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

W tower, unaisled nave (3 bays), S porch, chancel, north vestry. It is a modest building in a gothic style and well suited to its attractive churchyard and rural surroundings.

The west tower is probably the most significant part of the church, probably dating from the late C15. It is unbuttressed, of two storeys with plinth and parapet. It has crocketted finials, a late-C15 west door arch with incised spandrels set in a rectangular headed hood mould with C19 door. The tower has a simple 2-light west window with round headed lights and incised spandrels and 2-light belfry openings with labels.

From the exterior the nave and chancel are indistinguishable. They have one-, two-, and three-light windows, apparently reusing medieval masonry, each composed of lancets without a surrounding arch.

The south porch is a small gabled structure with double-chamfered doorway.

The vestry has a three light window to the north and a two light window to the west with trefoil heads. To the east is a shouldered doorway.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Who:
Kivells
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
SLATE
STONE

Interior Image

Interior image of 639241 Tresmere St Nicholas
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior image of 639241 Tresmere St Nicholas
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph taken on 26th January 2015
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
2015
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Gabriel Byng

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

The interior base of the tower is separated from the nave by a glazed timber screen of gothic design. There is a two light window to the west and monuments; it has a stone flagged floor. The upper storeys of the tower are accessible via a winding vice in the northwest corner of the tower.

The nave is unaisled with two windows to N and S. It has stone floors and a timber roof with collars on every rafter and arched braces to the principals. The windows are described in the previous section. The floor is composed of large, elegant dark slabs.

The chancel has a two-light window to the S and a doorway to the vestry to the N. The E window is of three lights set in a single arched embrasure. The chancel roof is a continuation of the nave roof but with arched braces to every rafter, with three purlins and foliate bosses.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
ALCOVE (Medieval)
ALTAR (19th Century)
ALTAR RAIL (19th Century)
BELL (3 of 1)
FONT (OBJECT) (c. 12th Century)
GRAVESTONE (17th Century)
LECTERN (19th Century)
ORGAN (COMPONENT) (19th Century)
PEW (OBJECT) (19th Century)
PULPIT (19th Century)
STAINED GLASS (WINDOW) (19th Century)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

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Collapse Portable Furnishings and ArtworksPortable Furnishings and Artworks
BOOK (16th Century to 20th Century)

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SX 233 874

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

There are several mature trees and bushes within the churchyard. No known preservation orders.

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

The church/building is consecrated.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard has been used for burial.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard is used for burial.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard is not closed for burial.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

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Designation TypeNameGrade  
Scheduled Monument Wayside cross in Tresmeer churchyard View more
Listed Building Headstone Of T Parsons 1 Metres To South Of Nave Of Church Of St Nicholas II View more
Listed Building Headstone Of Richard Burnard 6 Metres To South West Of West Tower Of Church Of St Nicholas II View more
Listed Building Headstone Of John Kittow 2 Metres To East Of Vestry Of Church Of St Nicholas II View more
Listed Building Cross 2 Metres To East Of Chancel Of Church Of St Nicholas II View more

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

NameStatusNumber found in this site 
Beech Notable tree 1
Irish yew Notable tree 1

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

Moderate
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is at centre of the main road through Tresmere although it is well hidden. It is an important part of the archaeology of the settlement, which has a changed substantially in the last century. The churchyard is picturesque, with good views to the E and W, and includes many fine headstones.
Fabric Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
High
Fabric Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The exterior of the church includes the good C15 tower and window tracery from the C13. The Victorian building is attractive and well sited in its rural location. The church interior is of moderate-high significance, with the important C15 tower and good floors and roofs. The oldest fabric dates to the C13 and the churchyard is heavily buried.
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Moderate
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The font is of very high significance, and the church has several important monuments, of which that in the nave floor is the most significant.
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Church Renewables

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Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Closed Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 0
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 0
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Closed Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Closed Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Closed Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Closed Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Closed Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Oliver LackAdded SourceThu 24 Nov 2022 09:51:04
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 24 Nov 2022 09:49:39
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 24 Nov 2022 09:48:56
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Ground Plan Description and DimensionsThu 24 Nov 2022 09:47:44
Sue ThoroldAdded QI inspectionThu 19 Dec 2019 09:31:20
Sue ThoroldCreated asset source linkThu 19 Dec 2019 09:31:20
Julie PatenaudeModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionTue 29 Mar 2016 15:34:22
Julie PatenaudeModified asset data - Modified the Ecology DescriptionTue 29 Mar 2016 15:31:27
Julie PatenaudeModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionTue 29 Mar 2016 15:31:11
Julie PatenaudeModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionTue 29 Mar 2016 15:30:03
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