Church of King Charles the Martyr Falmouth

The Church of King Charles the Martyr is the parish church of Falmouth, Cornwall. It is located on the main waterfront street right next to the Kings Head public house.

Church of King Charles the Martyr, Falmouth

History

The founding of the church was concurrent with the founding of the town of Falmouth. The church is dedicated to King Charles I who was executed in 1649 after the English Civil War.

His son and heir, later Charles II, had stopped briefly in nearby Pendennis Castle on his flight to exile. With his enthronement following the restoration of the monarchy, Charles II was petitioned by John Killigrew in 1660 to found a town and church. Killigrew, whose home, Arwenack Manor, part of which still stands in the town today, had long had the ambition to found a town here.

The founding of the church was concurrent with the founding of the town of Falmouth

The foundation stone for the church was laid in 1662 and was consecrated in 1664. Since then it has undergone many alterations, the last major ones being at the end of the 19th century which pretty much resulted in its present form.

The church has the largest organ in Cornwall outside of Truro Cathedral and provides lunchtime concerts and other cultural events.

Stained glass windows

Access – Getting There

33 Church Street
Falmouth TR11 3DX
Tel: 01326 319141

Accommodation in Falmouth

The Falmouth area has a full range of accommodation choices including deluxe hotels, campsites, farm-stay camping, caravan parks, hostels, self-catering cottages, as well as guest houses and hotels that range from budget to luxury.

Some recommendations include the 5-star Bed & Breakfast OYO Anacapri, with incredible sea views, the four-star Greenbank Hotel, also on the seafront, The Royal Duchy Hotel, also four stars and the popular Falmouth Hotel with garden and terrace. The Falmouth Hotel was built in 1865 following the completion of the railway branch line from Truro and the beginning of Falmouth as a seaside resort.

See here for a listing of hotels in Falmouth.