St Cuthbert Mayne

Introduction

St Cuthbert Mayne Church in Launceston is the national shrine to St Cuthbert Mayne. The church was designed by Arthur Langdon in a blend of Byzantine and Romanesque styles and built in 1911.

History

The mission at Launceston was established in 1886 at Kensey Villa by the Rev. Charles Baskerville Langdon. In 1887 a temporary church and stables were built next door to the presbytery. In 1933 a Lady Chapel was added to the south side of the nave. In 1970 Pope Paul VI canonised the forty English martyrs, including Cuthbert Mayne, and the church was rededicated to St Cuthbert Mayne in 1977 and became the national shrine. The high altar was moved forward in the 1970s.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is constructed of dressed stones including Slate stone and Polyphant stone, to give a polychrome effect. The church has a copper dome at the east end and a leaded half-dome at the west end. The plan consists of a nave with domed chancel to the east end and an apsidal baptistery to the west end. The interior has snecked Polyphant stone walls with a plastered, barrel-vaulted ceiling with a moulded cornice with billet enrichment.

The font, designed by Arthur Langdon, is of polished Polyphant stone with ornately-carved Celtic decoration to the bowl, over a shaft decorated with fish. The Stations of the Cross were given in memory of Arthur Langdon.

The church holds the holy relic of St Cuthbert Mayne’s skull. The church was built in 1911 by local mason F H Nicholls of Lewannick, with carpentry by J H Harry, the oak doors by Mr Clifton of Ashwater, and the copper dome by T Chapman (Junior) of Launceston. The high altar is constructed of granite supported on polished Polyphant stone columns with granite cushion capitals. Two aedicule framed niches in the Chapel and Shrine of St Cuthbert Mayne, that to the east wall forms part of the reredos to the marble altar. The marble altar to the Lady Chapel has a Romanesque arch above containing a round glazed ceramic of the Virgin and Child.

Parish life

The parish incorporates the communities of St Peter's, Bude and Our Lady of Victories, Callington. The church is a special place of pilgrimage and is usually open during the day.

Coffee and tea are served after each Sunday Mass as an opportunity to build community. The parish runs a First Holy Communion preparation programme for children.

The parish has a Facebook page and YouTube channel for Masses, reflections, and prayers. The church has wheelchair access and guide dog access. A PDF map of the Launceston pilgrimage route can be downloaded.

Regular events

Pilgrims can walk the old Launceston pilgrimage route, which starts or finishes at the church and visits sites in the town connected with the life and martyrdom of St Cuthbert.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Reconciliation/Confession is made available usually after a Saturday morning mass but can be at your request at almost any time. The administrative and spiritual processes of preparation for marriage can take up to six months.