There is reason to suppose that St. Michael’s began as an oratory for a monastic order, housed in the neighbouring farm where traces of ecclesiastical architecture are still visible. The parish of St. Minver was from 1255 in the gift of the Prior of Bodmin, and it is said that the two farmhouses at the gate were the House of Labour and the House of Rest of Bodmin Priory. By 1284 these two farms, Porthilly Eglos and Porthilly Grey, had already been for some time in lay hands, as they still are. St. Michael’s was originally built by the Normans and we can still see much of the 12th century building.
The screen is a fine example of 16th century work, with the splendid elevated pulpit at its north end. There are some interesting pieces of old window tracery of early and late 13th century date on the south side of the church where a memorial window has been engraved by David Peace, MBE, RIBA There is a 14th century piscina in the south wall.
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