The history of St Merryn  is a varied and interesting one and it was probably in the second half of the 6th century that the missionary priest Merryn arrived  from Wales who established a chapel just upstream from Harlyn Bay. Merryn was one of several Welsh missionary priests who spread the Christian word in the 6th and 7th Century.

The church has been through various stages of construction and extentions in its history and has been the centre of its community for centuries. This is clearly shown with the parishioners organising the building of the South Aisle, using stone from the original construction of the nave and chancel. The South Aisle was separated from the nave by a beautiful arcade of 7 pillars and Gothc arches of stone called Cataclews, which was quarried on Trevose Head.

On Trevose Head (located between Booby’s Bay and Mother Ivey’s Bay visitors can see the Trevose Head Lighthouse, and go inside the Lifeboat Station. Between Trevone and Padstow, the estuary headland is topped with an old stone lookout tower, now unmanned.

In the summer, St. Merryn hosts a funfair, steam traction rally, St Merryn Carnival featuring floats and parade, the St Merryn Church fete and regular coffee mornings in the Church Hall, skittles touraments (in the ‘Young Men’s Green’ opposite the Cornish Arms public house, now run by local celebrity chef Rick Stein), various events and auctions at the Community Hall. In the winter months indoor activities include pool competitions, darts competitions, traditional Cornish euchre card games, and snooker (open to local residents and their personal guests).