St Dennis, St Austell PL26 8AZ
OS Map reference SW950583

St Dennis is built within the boundary of an Iron Age hill fort, situated 700 feet above sea level, overlooking Goss Moor and the clay country. It is dedicated to Denis, bishop of Paris who died c.250, but its name may originate from Dinas, the Cornish word for fort. A church was built by the Normans at the end of the eleventh century that appears to have been a chantry chapel, held by the ‘Hendowers and Tregarthins of CourtrinBrannell’, who later appropriated it, together with the Church of St Stephen in Brannel, to the Rector of St Michael Caerhays. The two-stage, granite tower dates from the fifteenth century. There is a stair turret on the north east side, embattled with circular panelled pinnacles. On either side of the internal entrance to the tower are a stone carved angel and a bishop, dating from the fourteenth century. The church was substantially rebuilt in 1847; the south aisle arcade was moved to Nanpean, the nave and aisle being replaced by a single roof that spans the whole building. Much of the church was gutted in an arson attack in 1985, but after a heroic community effort, it reopened in 1987, with both interior and exterior being rebuilt as before.

The South porch showing the date the church was rebuilt.
There are several features of note in the churchyard, including the bowl of a Norman circular font and a fine stone cross, dating to the twelfth century, with incised hour-glass or chalice-type motifs on its shaft.

The church houses a classic ring of bells, the earliest of which dates from c.1465. The quality of the bells is such that over 100 peals have been rung on them by ringers from all over the country. Perhaps mindful of the collapse in 1907 of the tenor while being rung, the church has recently embarked on a major refurbishment project.