Date unknown. Saint Gennys is often confused with Saint Genesius of
Arles, but the patron of Cornwall has his own feast today, which may
point to the fact that he is a different individual and an obscure,
local founder. He may more properly be identified with Saint Genesius
the Martyr, whose head was translated on July 19 to Lismore. To add to
the confusion, the famous Germanus of Auxerre is also known as Gennys or
Genewys
(
Benedictines,
Farmer).
Saint Genny's Church in Cornwall
http://homepages.tesco.net/~k.wasley/StGennys.htm
The church is situated in a dell amongst the high cliffs of the North
Cornish Coast that look over the ever-surging sea- High Cliff to the
south west towering over "The Haven" is 730 ft high and the tallest in
Britain.
This secluded isolated spot so solitary for a parish church is because
its origins go back to the years of the Celtic Church. Sometime in the
mid 7th Century a Celtic Monk (hermit) arrived here, on foot or by boat,
and chose our site for its solitude and its ready supply of water.
The locals must have been very quickly attracted to the "Holy Man" and
he in due time taught them the Christian message and baptised them in
his source of water which became known as "The Holy Well" so the site
was established as the Holy Place in the locality. A stone cross set up
close by & a tiny wooden hut for the priest or monk to live in. The
services would be held in the open air.
On the right hand -side of the path that leads to the church the green
drops away steeply. A careful look down and across, or a jaunt over the
grass will reveal an old well - its is not so long ago the water from
here was still on domestic use - however this is the spot or very close
to it where the Holy Well of St Gennys was located. Here from the 600's
people have been baptised.
926 - After King Athelstan's final conquest of Cornwall, it is almost
certain a small Saxon church was built on this site and it is possible
at this point the dedication to St Genesius probably originates.