Perran Zabuloe

"PERRAN ZABULOE, (or Perran in the Sands), a parish in the hundred of Pyder, county Cornwall, 5 miles N.W. of Truro, and 7 N. W. of St. Michael, or Midshall. This place is situated on the shore of the Bristol Channel, and includes the small harbours of Perran Combe and Perran Porth, principally frequented by the boats employed in the pilchard fisheries. The beach is a firm smooth sand, well adapted for sea-bathing, and is much frequented for that purpose. The parish, which is of large extent, includes the chapelries of Mithian and Mount Hawk, and the hamlets of Lambourn and Penwortha, which last formerly belonged to the Vyvians. The western portion of the parish is the most populous, and is chiefly inhabited by miners, who-reside in detached cottages thickly scattered over the commons, and are employed in the tin, copper, lead, and zinc mines, with which this district abounds, particularly at Wheal Hope and Wheal St. George. The great tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £395, and the vicarial for one of £265. The ancient church was collegiate for a dean and canons in the time of Edward the Confessor, and had the oratory or shrine of St. Piran, the patron saint of tinners, who is fabled to have crossed over the sea from Ireland on a millstone, and to which the privilege of sanctuary was attached. This ancient oratory was swallowed up by the sands, but was disentombed in 1835, when it was found to measure 25 feet by 12½, and is fully described by Trelawney in his "Lost Church found." Near the village of Lambourn is St. Piran's, or Perran's Well, to which miraculous efficacy was formerly attributed in the cure of diseases; and about 1½ mile from the well is St. Perran's Round, one of the ancient Cornish amphitheatres, where miracle plays were performed, 130 feet in diameter. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter, value £419, in the patronage of the dean and chapter. The present church, which was rebuilt in 1805, is dedicated to St. Piran, and situated near the village of Lambourn. It is a cruciform structure, with a tower, and is capable of accommodating 500 persons. There are also the district churches of Mount-Hawk and Mithian, the livings of which are both perpetual curacies, value respectively £130 and £160, in the patronage of the crown and bishop alternately. The former church is dedicated to St. Agnes. There are places of worship for Wesleyans and Baptists, also several schools. At Caerkief is a Roman camp, at Caer Don a British camp, and at Tresawen a Saxon or Danish camp, also an extensive barrow at Caregmear. A fair is held on Easter Monday.