Churches of the British Isles

Inside the mission church, under the present font, is a huge granite base which was probably the base of the medieval Kea cross which stood at the forked junction at the top of the hill, on the way down to Old Kea. The size of the base suggests the cross was very large. It was marked in Gascoyne's map of 1699, but by about 1770 it had been taken down. The Coryton Estate map says 'Here formerly stood the ancient cross called Kea cross'. Regular services are still held.

Coombe Reading Room overlooks the small creek on the northern flank of the River Fal, in the centre of this hamlet. It was opened on 26 November 1908 at a time at which many such buildings were being set up around the country, often with a major role being played by the Anglican Church and the local landowners. Reading rooms were seen as a much needed alternative to the public house for the working classes. Lord Falmouth's Tregothnan Estate provided the land.

The former Coombe Bible Christian Chapel is reached by walking round the creek from the reading room (above). It is now Bethel Cottage in remembrance of its old function (or the former chapel if demolished and rebuilt). Nothing is shown on maps but references do exist. Bethel Cottage (now a holiday let) is on one of the main paths into or out of Coombe. It was once a small shop with the path called Shop Lane. Very little was known about the chapel even in the 1970s.

For Penelewey Barton Friends Meeting Place, leave Coombe via Cowlands to reach the B3289 at Penelewey. Penelewey Farm (Barton) is about 300 metres north of The Punchbowl, on the east side of the B3289. George Fox and other itinerant Quaker preachers visited Cornwall in 1656. There was already a Kea meeting by 1653/1654. By 1663, harassed 'Friends' left La Grange Farmhouse (possibly La Feock Grange) to meet here, and then at 'Come to Good' (below).

Come to Good Farmhouse Quaker Meeting lies directly west of Penelewey, reached via a footpath or Tregye Road. It was founded by Quakers after they had previously met at Penelewey Barton's farmhouse (see above). The date is uncertain, but it was after 1663. The property was rented from John, son of Walter, until about 1725. This old building had already become inadequate (by 1707), and a subscription was started for a new meeting house (see links).

Five photos on this page by Jo Lewis, and one by Rod Allday.