Coordinates: 50°06′N 5°06′W / 50.1°N 5.1°W / 50.1; -5.1

Mawnan parish church

Mawnan (top right) in relation to surrounding parishes

Mawnan (Cornish: Sen Mownan) is a civil parish in south Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.^[1] It is situated in the former administrative district of Kerrier and is bounded to the south by the Helford River, to the east by the sea, and to the west by Constantine parish. The population was 1,454 in the 2001 census.^[2]

The church town of the parish is Mawnan Church, also known simply as Mawnan, but the only large village in the parish is Mawnan Smith, situated approximately three miles south of Falmouth.^[3]

Geography [link]

The parish is entirely rural and, as well as Mawnan Smith, it includes the hamlets of Carlidnack, Bareppa, Penwarne, Helford Passage, Maenporth and Durgan. The parish also contains several Victorian gardens, now open to the public: Glendurgan, Trebah, Carwinion,^[4] and Penjerrick.

The coastline and cliffs south-east of the church town from Toll Point to Rosemullion Head forms the Rosemullion SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), noted for its geological and biological interest. Marine species found here include Mytilus mussels, various seaweeds and sea sponges, such as Botryllus schlosseri.^[5]

Etymology [link]

It is suggested that Mawnan takes its name from a sixth century Saint Maunanus, who was probably a Breton monk who landed here about AD 520.^[6]

Churches [link]

There are two Anglican churches: the 13th Century Church of St Mawnan and St Stephen in Mawnan Church^[6] and the 19th century Church of St Michael in Mawnan Smith village.

John Rogers was rector here in 1807.^[7]

The land for St Michael's Church was given by the Rogers family of Carwinion and the building was completed in 1874.

The village of Mawnan Smith also has a Methodist chapel. There is a Catholic church dedicated to St Edward the Confessor in Old Church Road, which was completed in 1965.

References [link]

External links [link]

• Mawnan Smith Council & Community website
• Cornwall Record Office Online Catalogue for Mawnan

v t e Civil parishes of Camborne and Redruth constituency Cornwall Budock Camborne Carharrack Carn Brea Constantine Gwinear–Gwithian Gweek Hayle Illogan Lanner Mabe Mawnan Portreath Redruth (St Agnes) St Day St Gluvias Stithians Wendron Cornwall Portal