ROACH, or ROCHE, a parish in the eastern division
of the hundred of POWDER, county of CORNWALL, 8 miles
(E. S. E.) from St. Columb Major, containing 1425
inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry
of Cornwall, and diocese of Exeter, rated in
the king's books at £20. Samuel Thornton, Esq. was
patron in 1819. The church, dedicated to St. Gomonda,
has lately received an addition of one hundred free
sittings, the Incorporated Society for the enlargement
of churches and chapels having granted £70 towards
defraying the expense. There is a place of worship for
Wesleyan Methodists. This place is believed to have
derived its name from some remarkable rocks, commonly
called Roche rocks, on the principal of which
are the ruins of a small chapel and cell of a celebrated
hermit, dedicated -to St. Michael. Hainsborough, or
Hensborough, one of the loftiest elevations in Cornwall,
commanding a most extensive prospect, is partly in this
parish.