| Summary : A pre-Conquest wayside cross in Phillack churchyard to the south of the early Christian memorial stone. This cross survives as an upright granite shaft with a round, 'wheel' head. The overall height of the cross is 1.43 metres. The principal faces are orientated east-west. The west principal face bears a relief equal limbed cross, with splayed ends to the limbs, the lower limb extending down on to the top of the shaft. The top of the head has been straightened, truncating the top of the upper limb. The east face is not visible as the cross is located close to the wall of the vestry building. In 1896 the historian Langdon recorded that this wayside cross was reused as a gatepost at the entrance of Bodriggy Farm and that in the late 19th century the cross was reused as a doorpost at the entrance to the schoolyard at Phillack, before being removed to the churchyard in 1910. |
More information : Alongside the inscribed cross in Phillack churchyard is another cross with a rounded head and expanded arms in relief on one face. This was brought into the churchyard in 1910 by a Dr. Rowe and was formerly in a field called Parc-an-Growse on the Guildford to Helston road, near Wheal Alfred. (1)
SW 5656 3842. This cross is very similar to that recorded by Langdon as being at Phillack school yard (SW 53 NE 11). It was accepted as that by Charles Thomas who described it as "crude and frankly undateable". In subsequent correspondence Mr. Thomas suggests that Baird's survey was most thorough and should by accepted as the provenance.
Wheal Alfred, and Helston-Guildford road, are probably on O.S. 6" 69 N.W.
For photograph of the cross from the west see AO/62/147/2. (2-8)
A mutilated wheel head cross with shaft but no base, only the front now being visible. Henderson gives a drawing of the back, showing a small figure in relief on the head. It was brought to the churchyard after serving as a gatepost to a field named Parc-an-Grous, SW 57603685 (9-10).
Scheduled under Crosses. (11)
Listed. (12) |