St Issey

On 1st February 1869, the medieval tower of St Issey’s Parish Church collapsed and, remarkably its destruction was captured by an early photographer, the resulting photograph of the tower’s demise also shows a top-hatted policeman looking on helplessly. The present St Issey Parish Church dates from 1871, though there are remnants of some 14th and 15th century work still to be seen.  Not only did the church have to be rebuilt, the Catacleuse stone altar piece by the Master of St Endellion had to be meticulously rebuilt piece by piece. There are references to a church at this spot going back to 1190, when the bishop of Exeter gave its patronage to the dean and chapter of Exeter Cathedral.

While visiting Padstow in October 1842, the novelist Charles Dickens, inspired by his time in the ancient port, wrote his much-loved story, A Christmas Carol, in which he mentions both Tinnens Cottages and a lighthouse - the one at Trevose Head. He based the character Jacob Marley on his good friend Dr. Miles Marley. His son Dr. Henry Frederick Marley practised in Padstow for 51 years and died at his home in St. Issey on 27th January 1908. In this heartwarming seasonal story, Dickens actually reworks an idea that first began as an interlude in Pickwick Papers and it is plain that the Gabriel Grub character was a prototype for the grasping and miserly Ebenezer Scrooge.

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