St Andrews

History

The modern parish of Calstock lies in the ancient Hundred of East and the Deanery of Wivelshire and is of 5,829 acres, nearly the whole of which is farmland or former mining    areas with a parish population of 5,565, many of whom commute to larger towns for work. 

The largely Perpendicular style church is surrounded by the Celtic churchyard and is 335 feet above sea level. Its commanding position on a steep escarpment overlooking the River Tamar is a landmark seen from afar and it had magnificent views from the northern churchyard before the trees grew so tall. The church is said to have been consecrated about 1290 but nothing obvious remains of this period. Richard earl of Cornwall bought the manor of Calstock from Roger de Valletort in 1270. Calstock is one of 17 ancient manors of the Duchy of Cornwall. On the 3rd March 1337, the eldest son of King Edward III was created Duke of Cornwall and the church is under the Patronage of H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall.   The Secretary of State listed the parish church in 1968 as a Grade 1 building of special architectural or historic interest; only 4% of all listed buildings in the country are Grade 1. It consists of a chancel of two bays, nave of four bays, north aisle and south aisle, with an internal floor measurement overall of 74 feet by 41 feet 6 inches plus an 18 feet by 11 feet western tower and a south porch, with seating for about 250 worshippers. 

There have been various restoration schemes, particularly in 1867 when the church was extensively repaired and reordered under the direction of the London and Devonport architect James Piers St Aubyn at a cost of £600, a considerable sum in those days; the contractors were Messrs Baker, Smith and Hunn of Calstock. The continual process of repairand restoration is apparent in the present good condition of the fabric but sadly little remains of antiquity in the church furnishings and fittings. 

You can purchase a Guide to the Ancient Parish Church of Calstock written by the Rev Wood in 2005 for £3 - and available at St Andrew's Church. It will give you further detailed information about this and the other churches in the parish. 

In the Census of 1801 the population of Calstock parish is shown as 1,105; in 1821 it had risen to 2, 064, whereas in 1861 it was 7,060. This rapid increase was as a result of the introduction of prosperous mining for copper, tin, arsenic, silver and quarrying, lime burning and boat-building, all of which have since closed down. After 1864 "the population rapidly diminished when many miners emigrated or went to work in the northern coal mines". 

Parish groups 

Julian Group

We meet every Tuesday at 10.30am at the home of one of our members for a short period of prayer, reading and meditation. Please telephone Catherine Walker on 01822 832444 for more information. Between April and September there is no meeting on the first Tuesday of each month, when there is a service at Cotehele Chapel which members like to attend.

Church Visitors (pastoral ministry group)

We take responsibility for some of the pastoral care of the parish. There are around ten people who have been training by the diocese and continue to meet to support each other and exchange ideas. We visit people in the parish if we've been invited. We have recently revised the way we work; see here for more information.

Parish breakfast

You are welcome to come to this breakfast at the Engine House on the first Saturday of the month at 9.30am. Please telephone Mary Deacon on 01822 833031 or Caroline Lake 01822 834218   to book your place.

Coffee morning

From 10am to 12 noon on the first Wednesday of each month there is Community Coffee, at All Saints, Harrowbarrow, to raise funds for Friends of Calstock Parish Churches.

Bible reading notes

Please contact Kathleen Brady 01579 351839.

Traidcraft: Mrs Edre Harrison Tel: 01822 833500