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CHURCH OF SAINT NICHOLAS

Updated: 08 June 2011

The Anglican Church of Saint Nicholas is situated within the Royal Naval Barracks (HMS Drake) at Plymouth.

The Church of Saint Nicholas in the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport.

The Church of Saint Nicholas in the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport.
From a postcard.

Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Edward Hobart Seymour GCB, laid the foundation stone on Saturday March 18th 1905.

Built of limestone to harmonise with the other buildings, the Church was capable of seating 1,000 worshippers.

The dedication ceremony was performed by the Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Archibald Robertson, on Monday February 18th 1907. This was followed on August 18th that year by the dedication of the organ.

Towards the end of 1916 the white ensigns of HMS "Warspite" and the armoured merchant cruiser "Carmania" were placed in the Church. They were followed early in 1917 by the white ensign of HMS "Warrior".

The interior of the Church of Saint Nicholas, showing the White Ensigns flown by HM Ships "Lion", "Princess Royal", "Warspite", "Warrior", "Carmania", "Caernarvon", etc, during the Great War Naval Engagaments.

The interior of the Church of St Nicholas in the Royal
Naval Barracks at Devonport, showing the White Ensigns
flown by HM Ships "Lion", "Princess Royal", Warspite",
"Warrior", "Carmania", "Caernarvon", etc.,
during the Great War Naval Engagements.
From a postcard.

Much of the Royal Naval Barracks was badly damaged during the night of Monday/Tuesday April 21st/22nd 1941, including the Church. When it was repaired and redecorated in 1953, the tattered White Ensigns that had been proudly displayed in the Church were removed and replaced by Ships' Badges taken from vessels that had served during the Second World War.

Also kept in the Church of Saint Nicholas is the silver replica of Drake's Drum that was presented to HMS Devonshire in 1904. The Drum brought a lot of bad luck to a later Devonport-built HMS Devonshire so it was removed and placed on dry land.

Sources:

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