St Just in Roseland, Cornwall – the Church by the Creek

VISITING ST JUST IN ROSELAND

Located just north of St Mawes, St Just in Roseland is famous for its picturesque church set in magnificent gardens of sub-tropical shrubs and trees. The church sits on the very edge of a tidal creek off the Carrick Roads, and is often described as one of the most beautiful churchyards in England.

Paths wind down through the churchyard among palms, tree ferns, rhododendrons and camellias, past granite stones carved with verses from the Bible, to the church and the water’s edge. From the churchyard, footpaths join the coast path, which continues around the shore through National Trust land to St Mawes – a delightful walk of about 2 miles.

The church is just outside the main village, down a small side road from the A3078 that takes you down the hillside to the church gates. There is a small car park and limited parking along the side of the road near the church.

The parish of St Just in Roseland also includes St Mawes. For somewhere to stay, see St Just in Roseland holiday cottages and holidays and short breaks in St Just in Roseland.

Best Time to Visit St Just

Spring is the most beautiful time, when the rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas are in flower. Summer is busy, so come early or late in the day; autumn and winter are quiet and peaceful. Come at high tide to see the church reflected in the creek.

ST JUST IN ROSELAND CHURCH & GARDENS

The present church was dedicated to St Just on 14 August 1261 by Walter Bronescombe, Bishop of Exeter, and the chancel, with its double piscina, survives from that time. It stands on the site of a much earlier Celtic chapel. The church was much restored in the 19th century, but keeps a 15th-century font, a painted board of the Lord’s Prayer dated 1693, memorial brasses, and a medieval holy well near the church.

The famous churchyard garden has been developed over more than a century, and the Treseder family of Truro nurserymen took a close interest in it through the 20th century. The granite blocks carved with Bible texts that line the paths were laid by the Reverend Humphry Davis, rector from the beginning of the 20th century until 1930.

The churchyard is open daily, and visitors are welcome in the church. Please remember that it is still a working parish church and a place of burial.

HISTORY & LEGENDS

The dedication to St Just is unusual – the only other English church dedicated to him is at St Just in Penwith, also in Cornwall. For some 400 years after its foundation, the early chapel is said to have been served by clergy from the nearby cell of Lanzeague, before the Roseland came under the Saxon bishops.

A local legend tells that Joseph of Arimathea brought the boy Jesus to Cornwall, and that they landed here on St Just Creek. A stone by the water with strange markings is pointed out as the one on which he stepped ashore.

The ornithologist Edward Hearle Rodd was born in the parish, and so was the cricketer Michael “Pasty” Harris.

WALKS FROM ST JUST IN ROSELAND

The best way to arrive is on foot from St Mawes. From the castle, the path follows the shore of the Carrick Roads north past St Just Pool and round to the churchyard – about 2 miles, with lovely views across to Mylor and Falmouth. Return the same way, or by the lanes.

Longer walks continue north along the creeks of the Fal towards Philleigh and Turnaware Point.

PLACES NEAR ST JUST IN ROSELAND

• St Mawes – about 2 miles.
• Philleigh and the King Harry Ferry – about 4 miles.
• Gerrans and Portscatho – about 3–4 miles.
• St Anthony Head – about 6 miles by road.
• The Roseland Peninsula – our guide to the whole peninsula.