What is the connection between the Church of The Good Shepherd in Par, and St Piran’s Oratory in the dunes above Perranporth?
Over the centuries, the little chapel on the site where Piran was thought to have landed in Cornwall after his journey from Ireland, has been eroded by sand & rain, so much so that in 1910, it was decided to completely cover the remaining walls by building a bunker style building around them. This was designed by the then Diocesan Architect, Edmund H Sedding, who, 15 years before had drawn up the plans for the brand new Mission Church of The Good Shepherd in Par. Barrel shaped ceilings & roofs were often used in his designs, the one at the simple church in Par resembles an upturned boat, very appropriate as it stands so close to Par Harbour where for many years boat-building flourished. When the new stained glass East window was installed in the church in 1954, Sedding is shown in one panel, kneeling before the Bishop with the plans for the church in his hands. Strangely it shows him in apparel more akin to Robin Hood than that of a respected architect in 1895!