 St. Levan's Church is medieval. It was heavily rebuilt in the 12th Century and extended in the 15th Century.
According to the church website, "St. Levan, named after his great-uncle St. Soloman, in the Celtic tongue, St. Selevan, today corrupted into the name St Levan, was born in the sixth century at, it is said, Boslevan, which lies to the east of St Buryan. He travelled to and lived at Bodellan by the Port of Cornwall, now Porthcurno, and built a chapelry on the site of the present church above Porth Levan or Porthchapel, as it is called today. He built a cell near a well now named after him."
In the churchyard are several ancient crosses. Also, on the south side of the Church near the porch is a rock known as the St. Levans Stone. In pre-Christian times, the stone was venerated for its powers, particularly in connection with fertility rites. The pagan use was neutralised by the erection of the tall seven foot cross near the stone. It is split in two, and it was said that St. Levan sat upon this rock when tired from fishing, Wishing to leave a momento of himself in connection with his favorite seat. One day, he gave it a blow with his staff and cracked it through.
About St. Levan's Church
St. Levan Church Website
Wikipedia: St. Levan's Church
Early British Kingdoms: St. Selevan (St. Levan)
Journey to St. Levan's Church
St. Levan's Church is located not far from Land's End off the B3315 on a minor road south of Porthcurno in the village of St. Levan in the West Penwith area of Cornwall in southwest England.
Ordnance Survey Map (SW380222)
Visitors Information
Visitors information for St. Levan's Church may be found at the geograph.org.uk website. General Cornwall tourist information may be found at the Visit Cornwall website.
Additional Photos of St. Levan's Church
Road Sign at Porthcurno for St. Levan's Church
St. Levan's Church
St. Levan's Church Tower
Front Entrance to St. Levan's Church
Close-Up of Sundial Above Entrance to St. Levan's Church
Close-Up of Ancient Cross in St. Levan's Churchyard
St. Levan's Stone in St. Levan's Churchyard
Interior of St. Levan's Church
Interior Roof, St. Levan's Church
Ancient Cross in St. Levan's Churchyard
Ancient Cross in St. Levan's Churchyard
Close-Up of Ancient Cross in St. Levan's Churchyard
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