Police were present for the welcome service of a new parish priest in Cornwall last weekend as a result of a protest over a church memorial to an 17th century slave trader.
Around 15 people had gathered outside King Charles the Martyr Church in Falmouth with some calling insults to members of the congregation as they entered the building.
The memorial to Thomas Corker, a prominent trader in West Africa has been at the centre of controversy for years. In late 2019 the church began a consultation process to decide on the best course of action regarding its future. As a result, a temporary notice was placed next to the plaque which states: “There is contested heritage around this memorial. The church is working with members of the black community and interested parties to move forward and to investigate whether this can be used as an educational tool to address the past wrongs.”
However, despite the publication of a review a year ago, campaigners say they’re frustrated that no permanent changes have yet been implemented. They’ve continued to call for the memorial’s complete removal or contextualisation.
In May 2025 a group calling themselves "concerned citizens" put up a blue plaque outside the church which stated that the trader had been "memorialised here”. The act, which co-incided with the installation service of the Bishop of Truro, Rt Rev David Williams, was taken down.
The Diocese of Truro has said discussions are ongoing and has told the Falmouth Packet newspaper it is continuing to work with the community in Cornwall together and local historians, adding: “There is nothing that can repay the damage the transatlantic slave trade caused, and we have to acknowledge that. We now need to find a different way to tell the truth about the past and pay attention to injustice in the present.”
Although some police were present inside the church, the installation service for Rev Adam Dunning went ahead without disruption.