W. S. Lach-Szyrma

Krystyn was a Polish professor of philosophy who fled Poland c. 1830 to escape persecution amidst the November Uprising.

He abandoned his teaching position at the University of Warsaw and started a new life in England, where he married Sarah Somerville of Plymouth.

After studying the classics in a Literae Humaniores course at Brasenose College, Oxford, Wladislaw accepted a curacy in Pensilva; so began a life of service to the Church of England in Cornwall.

He became ill during a visit to Paris; after a short recovery, he returned to England to find that several newspapers had published his obituary.

He was a high churchman, but he always spoke kindly of dissenters, and especially regarded Wesley and his works with great interest and favour.

St Peter's Church, where Lach-Szyrma served as vicar from 1873 until 1890. The church opened in 1866.