The impetus to bring the Gospel to Cornwall came, as far as we know with the little evidence we have, from Ireland and Wales. But the north coast facing these countries was not an easy place to land. Two estuaries provided entry points – those of the Hayle and the Camel.
Ancient Cornwall had few villages or towns but was full of very small settlements; these came to be known by the saint who lived there.
The number of saints venerated in Cornwall is 140, relating to 185 sites in all. 78 of them are unique to Cornwall. 80% of the saints belong to a single church or chapel site, sometimes within a very sparsely settled area. This is indicative of the remarkably complete process of evangelisation in such a relatively small area as Cornwall.