About Warleggan Church – St Bartholomew’s

Warleggan, referred to by Pevsner as the “loneliest village on Bodmin Moor”, “a place of remote slate and granite farms” by Betjeman and finally “a desolate and almost deserted village” by Rawe. It is as if twentieth century writers are surprised by the very existence of the place.

Earlier writers on Cornwall rarely mention the place and later ones concentrate on the eccentricities of its last resident incumbent, The Reverend F W Densham.

There has been a church at Warleggan for almost 800 years, the churchyard is circular, which is unusual and can indicate a Celtic burial site, especially on a hilltop as in Warleggan.

Although a John Wak was named as Rector in 1244, we have no precise records of the early history of the church. It may have been a manorial chapel, once part of the greater Manor of Fawiton.

The dedication to St. Bartholomew is first mentioned in 1434, when Sir Thomas Shenke was instituted chaplain and contrasts with the neighbouring Celtic saints of St. Meubred (Cardinham) and St. Neot, further evidence that Warleggan’s origins were manorial.

Today St Bartholomew’s is part of the Benefice of St Neot and Warleggan and for the past few years has been served by a House for Duty Priest who resides in the Rectory at St Neot. The present incumbent , Rev Garry Swinton has been our Rector since September 2022.

Since carrying out some reordering in the Chancel we now have more space to host various concerts and plays.

The present congregation is forward thinking and hopefully we will continue to thrive with the support of the community.

The Church belongs to all and not just the Sunday congregation, it is a place of tranquillity, solace and contemplation for all who visit.