The Church
of King Charles the Martyr
Sea links
Around
the Church are various bits and pieces that have gathered over the years, as
they always do in churches. Here at KCM we have, not surprisingly, a fair few
links with the sea and those who "occupy their business in great
waters". The Warrior Chapel window, which dates from 1928, depicts Jesus
preaching to the multitude from a boat (Mark 3 v9). In 1998 the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race started from
One
of the flags that hang on either side of the gallery at the west end is
peculiar to this Church. It is known as the Rector's Pennant. By Act of
Parliament in the reign of King Charles II , the
Rector of Falmouth was required to fly a red flag on the Black Rock, at the
entrance to the harbour, as a warning to shipping. Until 1840 the Rector was
paid sixpence for every decked ship that came into the port. These days port
safety rests in the hands of the Harbourmaster, Trinity House and the Pilot
service. The Arms shown on the pennant are those of the Killigrew
family.
One
of the memorials to be found in the Church illustrates the dangers which could
befall travellers in the days of the old Packet ships. The plaque commemorates
one I. N. Macomb of New York who was mortally wounded when a passenger aboard H
M Packet "Princess Charlotte" whilst assisting in the defence of the
ship against a French privateer, or pirate ship, of the Isles of Scilly in
1810.
There are other memorials around the Church to people who were involved with
the Packet ships or who met their end in various incidents at sea, including
one commemorating the death, on
"The bridegroom may forget the bride was made his wedded wife yestreen The monarch may forget the crown that on his head an hour hath been. The mother may forget the child that smiles sae sweetly on her knee But I'll remember thee Glencairnand a' that thou hast done for me."
We maintain our links with
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