St. Petroc`s Church (Bodmin)
St. Petroc`s is the parish church of the old moorland town of Bodmin in Cornwall.
The church was rebuilt in 1469 - 72. It is possible to be this precise because all the accounts have been preserved.
A Decorated chantry from the former church now stands as a ruin in the churchyard.
It was to Bodmin that the remains of St. Petroc, who died in 564, were brought from Padstow at the time of the Viking raids. They were stolen by monks from France, sadly a not uncommon occurence with relics, which were big business for religious establishments, but returned in the late 12th century in a beautiful casket of ivory and gold.
The casket and remains were later lost, but found in 1831 and put on display in 1957, then promptly stolen again before eventually turning up again on a moor near Sheffield.
It is hoped that the casket is now secure, being set into the South wall.
The font, on five pillars, dates from the Norman period.
Close to the churchyard is St. Guron`s Well, which was said to cure eye complaints.