The village church which is part of the Benefice of the Lostwithiel Parishes, occupies a superb location overlooking the Fowey estuary, it is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. St Winnow Parish Church is a 15th Century, Grade 1 listed building standing on the same flat piece of land, where it is thought stood the oratory of St Winnoc at the end of the 7th Century, nothing remains of that building. About the 12th Century a stone building was erected – the lower courses of the north wall and transept are probably of this date; in the 15th Century, about 1485, the south wall was pulled down and the aisle with the pillars and arches was put up, together with the tower. The roofs are also 15th Century, except for the chancel which is a Victorian restoration.
A charming verse welcomes the visitor: ‘Welcome friends, from here and there; Never mind the clothes you wear, God looks on the inward heart; Worship Him, in peace depart.'
The pulpit dates from the end of the 16th Century, the feet are later, from the 19th Century. The Brass on the north wall is a modern memorial to Buller Howell, 1918. The Rood Screen is one of the few to have survived in Cornwall; it was taken down and sympathetically restored by Violet Pinwell in 1907. The nave part is essentially original, except for the coving, with carving of individual stylised flowers or leaves in the panels. The glass in the two east windows dates from about 1500, the one in the Lady Chapel comprises of glass in deep reds, rich greens and blues. The other window in the Lady Chapel is a memorial to Lieutenant Teignmouth Melvill, of Ethy, awarded one of the first posthumous V.Cs for his gallantry in the Zulu wars. There is an interesting slate memorial in the form of an anagram to William Sawle ‘I was ill am well'.
A burial plot with Celtic-style headstones for the Vivian family occupies the north-west corner of the churchyard. There is a wonderful stillness, tranquillity and timelessness about the place which speaks of centuries of life and worship.
Numerous filmmakers have used the location, some scenes from the BBCs 'Poldark' series were filmed there.
The approach to St Winnow Parish Church is down narrow lanes which descend steeply under beech trees, before coming to the end at a small group of houses. Nearby is St Nectan's, a delightful chapel which is also well worth a visit.