[From Manx Quarterly, #5 Nov 1908]

ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.

The continuation of the work of excavating the floor and foundations of old St. Trinian's Church, Marown, has resulted in more interesting discoveries, Two stone coffins — or rather stone-lined graves — have been discovered underneath the soil in the body of the church, Both of these graves contained human remains, which crumbled into fragments on exposure, From the irregular position of the graves, Mr P. M, C. Kermode thinks these interments must have taken place after the chapel had ceased to be used as a place of worship; but further investigations may throw light on the subject. The uncovering of a low wall across the chancel of the church, sep crating it from the nave, is regarded as very interesting. The wall would probably be surmounted by a wooden railing. The old Manx keeils had no such division, being very small and practically all nave, and this is the first example in the Isle of Man that we know of as yet showing a division between the chancel and the nave, The level of the chancel is slightly raised above the level of the floor of the body of the church. At the south door, the soil was heaped about 18 to 20 inches above the old floor, and on removing the accumulation of materials, the corners of the steps remain, showing the side walls of the doorway, and the steps with corners slightly ornamented, A low wall, very solid and well-built, has been uncovered, erected on the. floor of the church, in the shape of two sides of a rectangular figure, and making an enclosure with parts of two walls of the church — really a kind of inner building. The only suggestion Mr Kermode can put forward for the existence of this wall is that it was built in comparatively recent years, and after the church was unroofed, to be used as a stable or shed for cattle, The substantial nature of the wall is against such a theory, and also the fact that the same purpose could have been more easily effected in other manner. The stones of which this wall was built were taken from the remains of the old church itself. The examinations have been continued during the week.