St. Mary’s Church

St Mary's is the parish church of Penzance, standing on the headland at the bottom of Chapel Street where its tower has long served as a waymark for boats entering the harbour. A church has stood on this spot since the twelfth century; the present building dates from 1835 and dominates views of the town from the sea and the Jubilee Pool. On 23 March 1985 a major fire gutted the interior, and the church was reordered later that year with a new east window commissioned as part of the rebuilding, so the inside is a mixture of Georgian shell and late twentieth century furnishing. Music is a strength: the pipe organ came from the University Church of St Mary in Oxford and is complemented by a digital instrument, and the church hosts regular concerts and is used by local musicians, artists and schools. Visitors are welcome at services and events, though the church itself notes that the building is not disabled friendly. Allow fifteen to twenty minutes to look round, longer if you climb to the churchyard for the view over Mount's Bay. It sits among the Georgian and Regency houses of Chapel Street, close to the Admiral Benbow and the harbour, and suits anyone exploring the old town on foot.

Good to know

• A church has stood on the Chapel Street headland since the 12th century; present building dates from 1835
• Interior destroyed by fire on 23 March 1985 and reordered the same year with a new east window
• Tower is a traditional waymark for the seafaring community
• Pipe organ came from the University Church of St Mary, Oxford
• Regular concerts; the church notes the building is not disabled friendly

Address: Chapel Street, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 4AP.