The curate William Haslam (1817–1905) focuses here on the ruins of St Piran's oratory, for many years lost to Cornwall's shifting sands. First published in 1844, his work laments the site's fate: first destroyed by its environment, then, upon its rediscovery, pillaged by trophy hunters. Highlighting the importance of Cornwall's frequently overlooked ecclesiastical antiquities, of which the oratory is perhaps the most compelling example, Haslam also gives an account of his local parish. The work describes the surrounding landscape, before going into an analysis of the oratory itself, with a small number of accompanying illustrations. An account of the life of St Piran, who has come to be regarded as Cornwall's patron saint, complements the history of Christianity's growth in the area, which resulted in the oratory's construction. With a strong emphasis on the oratory's importance as an early Christian site, this study will appeal to readers interested in architectural, church and local history.
