PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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CHURCH OF SAINT PAUL
The Anglican Church of Saint Paul is situated in Efford Lane on the Efford housing estate, Plymouth. In the Beginning At the end of the Second World War a disused Nissen Hut was commandeered for use as a Sunday School and another Hut in Dartmeet Avenue was turned into a temporary Church. But the Church leaked like a sieve, apparently, and worshippers were forever moving their seats to avoid the drips. On one occasion it is said a gentleman even raised his umbrella during a service. In 1951 land in Torridge Way was set aside for a new building. [1] In the meantime, the newly built Highfield Primary School was used for services. [1] A New Church In September 1951 the Bishop of Plymouth conducted a service of "breaking the ground" for the new Church and In January 1952 the foundation stone was laid. [2] The brick-built building was designed by Messrs Pearn and Proctor, of Plymouth, and was dedicated in October 1952 by the Bishop of Exeter. [3] A Second Saint Paul's However, it was still felt that a better Church could be provided and in January 1960 the mother parish of Emmanuel at Compton Gifford launched a campaign to that end. Luckily the War Damage Compensation payment in respect of the Church of Saint Paul at Devonport was set aside towards the Church funds. [1] As a result, on the evening of Tuesday June 11th 1963 the Bishop of Plymouth, the Right Reverend W G Sanderson, laid the foundation of the second Church of Saint Paul at Efford. [4] The building was designed by Messrs Walls and Pearn, of Plymouth, and was to be constructed by Messrs Dudley Coles Ltd. Messrs Gleed's, of Plymouth, were the quantity surveyors. The building was expected to cost £26,000 to erect. When it was completed in about a year's time it would seat 500 worshippers and the old building would then become the Church Hall. [4] On Saturday September 26th 1964 the Bishop of Exeter, Doctor R C Mortimer, dedicated the new Church in the presence of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Plymouth, Alderman and Mrs T H Watkins and a congregation of some 350 people, one hundred of whom had to be accommodated in the church hall. The interior was partly lit by a great stained-glass window patterned with interlocking crosses and over the altar towered a plain wooden cross. In the tower, which was was some 56 feet in height and surmounted by a 9 feet tall stainless-steel cross, was a bell acquired from Harford Parish Church, near Ivybridge. The Reverend Gordon S Pym was priest-in-charge. After the service the guests were entertained to tea at Highfield Primary School. [5] The church bell was declared to be 600-years-old when it cracked and thence 'produced a dull clunk when rung'. A new bell that had been rescued from the Church of Saint Mary at Devonport during the Blitz was acquired from the Church of Saint Thomas at Keyham, where it had been ever since. With the tremendous assistance of a crane supplied by Messrs Devonport Management Ltd, it was hoisted into position early in October 1988. The new bell was a mere 130-years-old. [6] As part of a regeneration scheme for Torridge Way, Plymouth City Council decided to replace the Church with a new building that would also serve as a community centre. A final service of thanksgiving was held in the old Church on January 26th 2006, led by the Reverend Steve Payne, and the congregation then moved once again into Highfield Community School as a temporary home. [7] The Church was demolished by the site's new owners, the Sarsen Housing Association, on Wednesday March 1st 2006. It has been replaced with social housing. [8] The present Church of Saint Paul Local school children were the first to view the interior of the new Saint Paul's Church on Friday December 14th 2007. The first service was held at 3pm on Sunday December 16th 2007 and the dedication was performed by the Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Michael Langrish, on the evening of Monday December 17th 2007. [9] The new building is on the site of the old Efford Branch Library and cost some £600,000 to complete. The stained-glass window from the former Church has been incorporated into the new building by the architect, Mr Jez Lavers, of the Architects' Design Group, Plymouth. The Church will seat up to 40 people and there is a community hall, kitchen and office. [9] On the short tower at the entranced is a cross made of aluminium wire and epoxy resin, sculpted by Ms Penny Hardy. [9]
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