PROBUS Church’s high tower was reopened to visitors on Saturday to help raise money for the Grade I listed building to undergo maintenance repairs. 

St Probus & St Grace has Cornwall’s tallest church tower and is founded on what may be one of the earliest Christian sites in the UK, possibly dating back to fourth century. 

The reopening of the tower comes after a woman was airlifted to hospital having become ill while at the top of the tower in May 2023.

While the community of Probus were celebrating the Coronation of King Charles lll, firefighters, police and Cornwall Air Ambulance were on hand to attend to the casualty who had experienced a cardiac arrest. However, as the emergency services were not able to take her down the tower steps, a HM Coastguard helicopter from South Wales was assigned to airlift her from the top of the tower in what was a very difficult rescue.  

After carefully considering when to re-open the tower and then carrying out the necessary safety measures, the public are now able to climb the tower again and take in the spectacular views of the village and surrounding countryside.  

The funds raised from Saturday’s tower open day will go towards some much-needed repair work to the beloved church which is a major hub for the village.  

Recently the church was awarded a Community Levelling Up grant to improve its community space and received £1,800 from the Cornwall Historic Churches Trust to help keep the building in working condition.