St Merryn, Cornwall

Description
Merryn, St, a parish in Cornwall, on the coast, 2 miles WSW of Padstow, and 8 from Wadebridge station on the G.W.R. and L. & S.W.R. It has a post office under Padstow ; money order and telegraph office, Padstow. Acreage, 3946; population, 489. Harlyn, formerly the seat of the Peter family, commands a splendid sea view. The surface is exceedingly diversified, and the coast is lined by high rugged cliffs. The rocks are crystalline and schistose, and include veins of lead and antimony. Roofing slate is quarried, and a dark-coloured trap almost equal to marble is worked. A small quay, constructed in 1794, is under Catacluse Cliff. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Truro; value, £240 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Truro. The church is ancient and pretty good, was partly rebuilt of Catacluse stone, and contains a curiously carved trap-rock font. There is a Wesleyan chapel. A church formerly stood near Harlyn, and has left some remains. A lighthouse stands on Trevose Head in this parish.