PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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St Paul's Church was situated on the east side of Morice Square, Devonport.
From "Doidge's Annual" 1891 The ecclesiastical parish was formed on August 27th 1846* from the civil parish of Stoke Damerel. The congregation met in a temporary chapel in Navy Row**, Morice Town. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor of Devonport, Mr John Beer Junior, on Wednesday July 25th 1849 after a similar ceremony at St James the Great Church. St Paul's was consecrated on April 22nd 1851. The original cost of the structure was £3,000 and the architect was Mr James Piers St Aubyn. St Paul's church was a building of stone in the Middle Pointed style and consisted of chancel, nave and aisles, and a tower containing one bell. The chancel comprised two bays and was separated from the aisles by a low screen. The building was designed to accommodate 401 adults and 315 children. The western tower and spire were 104 feet in height. The church was destroyed by enemy action in 1941 and services were held in St Aubyn's Church during the 1950s. A mission hall was erected in Cornwall Street, Devonport, and opened on Thursday October 11th 1883. Known as the Town Mission Hall it was designed in the plain Gothic style by Mr Luff and erected by Mr John Martin, of Devonport. The commodious and lofty building measured 50 feet in length by 30 feet in width and was some 15 feet high. It was entered through a 7 foot square porch and the Hall was heated by two large fireplaces. Accommodation in the form of pitchpine benches was provided for 300 people and there was a small raised platform at the end opposite the entrance. At 6.30pm a public tea was held and nearly 300 people attended. By the 1950s the Hall was being used as a Sunday School. The parish had been merged with that of St Aubyn's and the Church demolished by February 1958. * Kelly's directories quote
September 22nd 1846.
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