484 



PROBUS CHURCH AND TOWER. 



By H. MICHELL WHITLEY, F.G.S., ifoif. Sec, 



In one of the most fertile districts of Cornwall, rich in 

 grazing and corn lands, stands Probus Churcli Town, which 

 justly lays claim to the fairest Church Tower in our western 

 county. 



Grey and lichen-covered, crowned with its clustering pin- 

 nacles, a superb example of late perpendicular work, it overlooks 

 the village, and, a tower set on a hill, commands the country for 

 miles around. 



Probus Tower is the landmark and pride of the inhabitants 

 of the district in the centre of which it stands. 



The Church, itself, is built in plain perpendicular style, and 

 consists of chancel, nave, north and south aisles, western tower, 

 and porches. The original altar-slab, with its five crosses, is 

 inserted in the wooden framework of " Grod's board." 



The piscina of Catacleuse stone is of Norman workmanship ; 

 it was found in the tower, with the shaft detached, during the 

 restoration. In the north wall of the chancel is a small recess 

 which was uncovered at the same time. Two skulls, which were 

 supposed to be those of the Saints Probus and Q-race, to whom 

 the Church is said to be dedicated, were found in it. They were 

 re-interred in a small vault beneath the altar. 



The base of the roodsereen bears on its front, in gold letters, 

 the quaint legend, "Jesus, hear us, thy people, and send us 

 Grace and Good igv ever ;'' a supposed punning reference to the 

 patron saints. 



In the south or Golden Aisle is a brass, commemorating John 

 Wolvedun and his wife, dated 1514 ; the former being the last 

 male heir of that ancient family, on whose decease the possessions 

 were carried by the heiress to the Tregians of St. Ewe, who, 

 thereupon, settled at Golden. A piscina still remains in this 

 aisle. In the north aisle is the staircase to the roodloft. 



