St Denis' Church, Otterham

St Denis’s Church, Otterham is a Grade II* listed[1] parish church in the Church of England Diocese of Truro in Otterham, Cornwall.

St Denis’s Church, Otterham
St Denis’s Church, Otterham
Location	Otterham
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Broad church
History
Dedication	St Denis
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II* listed[1]
Designated	17 December 1962
Administration
Parish	Otterham (Boscastle and Tintagel Group of Churches)
Deanery	Stratton
Archdeaconry	Bodmin
Diocese	Diocese of Truro
Province	Province of Canterbury

History

The dedication to St. Denis is undocumented according to Charles G. Henderson who observes that nearby land was called St Tenye in 1613. (Other dedications to this saint in Cornwall are found at Trevena and North Tamerton.)[2]

The church dates from the Norman period. The tower may have been rebuilt in 1702. The church was restored between 1889 and 1904; at which time the north transept was demolished and much old woodwork was removed.[3]

Parish status

The church is in the Boscastle and Tintagel group of parishes which includes

• St Symphorian’s Church, Forrabury
• St Merteriana’s Church, Minster
• St Materiana's Church, Tintagel
• St Michael and All Angel's Church, Lesnewth
• St Julitta's Church, St Juliot
• The Holy Family Church, Treknow
• St Piran’s Church, Trethevy
• St Petroc’s Church, Trevalga

Bells & organ

The original 3 bells have been augmented to a peal of 6. The church used to have a harmonium, but the music is now played by an electric organ at the far right front of the church.

References

1. Historic England. "Church of St Denis  (Grade II*) (1143456)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
2. The Cornish Church Guide. Truro: Oscar Blackford, 1925; pp, 172, 173 & 206
3. Cornish Church Guide, p. 173