PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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CHURCH OF SAINT CATHARINE
The Anglican Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr and Virgin, formerly known as Saint Andrew's Chapel, was situated in Lockyer Street.
This was originally a chapel of ease to the Ancient Parish Church of Saint Andrew and was a plain building of stone and granite in the Basilican style. It was opened in October 1823. Designed by Plymouth architect, Mr John Foulston, it consisted of a chancel and nave and the cost of construction, £5,000, was donated by the Reverend Lampen, who was its first incumbent. There was a small belfry containing a single bell, surmounted by a cross. It had an altar-piece by Ball, the architect of Saint Luke's Church, which represented the Crucifixion, apparently towards the close of the Three Hours of Darkness indicated by the return of daylight on the verge of the horizon. The Church was restored in 1879-80, when it received new oak stalls and a new organ chamber; a choir vestry was added in 1907; the roof was renewed in 1912; and other repairs were executed in 1914. There were 800 sittings. Mr Norman Holme and Miss Margaret Lorimer Weir were the last couple to get married at Saint Catharine's on Wednesday November 27th 1957. The Vicar, the Reverend W H A Cooper, officiated. Mr Holme was a member of the scientific staff at the Marine Biological Association on the Hoe. [1] Plymouth City Council acquired the site and remains of the Church and School in October 1958 for £23,000. The cost of demolition was expected to be £773. [2] 93-years-old Doctor Harry Moreton played the organ for the final Sunday service on November 24th 1957. The service was conducted by the vicar, the Reverend W H A Cooper, assisted by the Reverend M T Fermer and the final prayers were said by the Bishop of Plymouth, Doctor Norman H Clarke. [3] The last service to be conducted at Saint Catharine's was the funeral of one of the congregation's oldest members, which took place on Thursday November 28th 1957. On the following day van loads of furniture were removed to the Church of Saint Andrew and the organ was returned to its maker. [4] Many of the fittings found their way to the churches being built on the new housing estates, the pews being installed in the Church of the Ascension at Manadon. Some of the hymn books were sent to Uganda, to support the work of the Reverend Y B Mukasa, who had recently been a curate at Saint Catharine's [3].
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