Modern Britain

The Church of St Mary the Virgin St Blazey Gate (Biscovey) is set deep back from the north side of St Austell Road, about twenty metres west of the Biscovey Road junction (see above). It was built between 1846-1849 with a graveyard surrounding it that opened in 1857. Additional burial land was consecrated on 20 March 1909. Near the south chancel door stands the church's most interesting historic feature: an early Christian cross shaft known as 'The Biscovey Stone'.

St Blazey Gate Bryanite Chapel sits on the east flank of St Mary's (see above), accessed via a lane on the northern side of St Austell Road. Built in 1842 it soon evolved - with its congregation of up to three hundred - into Ebenezer Chapel (Biscovey) or St Blazey Gate Bible Christian Chapel. The date stone (above the sign here) notes that it was built by R Tyzzer. Later closed, it served as a sports and social club. That too closed (in 2014) and the chapel remains unused.

Leek Seed Wesleyan Methodist Chapel and burial ground can be found at the north-east corner of the A390 St Austell Road and Luxulyan Road junction. It was built in 1824 and was restored 1903. It owes its existence, and unusual name, to a remarkable fundraising campaign. The adjacent Sunday school and hall (the second on the site) was built in 1924 by Williams & Lawer (local builders). Inside, a row of bricks is inscribed with the names of contributors to the cost.

The Chapel of St Werry is lost (this shot looks east from Tregrehan). In 1568 Queen Elizabeth I sold a chapel with a small cemetery and an annexed house called the Store (or Stow) House, in the parish of St Blaise. It would seem that a chapel originating from the Celtic Church had survived to that time. In 1926 St Weryes was described as a chantry chapel within the parish limits. 'Great Chaple Park' and 'Little Chaple Park' were two ancient (related?) fields in this area.

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Biscovey, is at the bottom end of Lamellyn Road (eastern side), and on the southern edge of St Blazey Gate. Old maps suggest that this meeting room was built between 1977-1992. Planning documents show permission for car parking and access in 1978 which suggests that this was the year of the build. It was refurbished in 2007 and a two-storey rear extension added in 2008 on what had been green land until post-war.

All photos on this page by Jo Lewis.