6th century. The Irish Saint Levan (possibly a shortened form of
Silvanus) migrated to Cornwall, where he gave his name to a parish
(
Benedictines).
The Baptistry and Chapel of St Levan.
The Holy Well of St Levan and the Baptistery lie beside the footpath
leading to Porth Chapel Beach. They are connected to the small Chapel on
the cliff edge further down by a flight of about fifty stone steps. The
existence of these steps had been known for many years, but they were
uncovered as a result of excavations in 1931.
The St Levan Stone.
On the south side of the church near the porch is the rock known as St
Levan's Stone. It is broken in two, and it was said that St Levan sat
upon this rock when tired from fishing, Wishing to leave a memento of
himself in connection with his rude but favourite seat, one day he gave
it a blow with his staff and cracked it through. He prayed over the rock
and uttered the following prophecy.
When with panniers astride,
A Pack Horse can ride,
Through St Levan's Stone,
The world will be done.
In pre-Christian times the stone was evidently venerated as a Holy Rock,
since it has never been removed, nor has any attempt been made to
destroy it.
The Crosses
There were at one time at least six granite crosses of a Celtic pattern
which marked the paths radiating the Church to outlying hamlets and
farms. The finest specimen, which was 6' 11" high, stands in the
churchyard to the right of the path leading to the south porch. It may
well be in its original position, as the churchyard is the site of an
ancient enclosure. A second cross is to be found in the churchyard wall,
beside the entrance stile at the north east corner.