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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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CATHERINE STREET BAPTIST CHAPEL
The Catherine Street Baptist Chapel is situated in Catherine Street, in the city centre of Plymouth. It was also known as the Old George Street Baptist Chapel. Its origins go back to 1648 when the local Baptist congregation invited Mr Andrew Cheare to become its pastor. He accepted and within a couple of years opened a Chapel in the Pig Market, which later became Bedford Street. That building ceased to be used from 1789 when the How Street Baptist Chapel was opened. As was usual in those days the congregation soon outgrew the premises and in 1845 the congregation moved to the purpose-built George Street Baptist Chapel. [1] During the Blitz of Plymouth in March 1941 the George Street Baptist Chapel was severely damaged. Once the Second World War was over and reconstruction began, hopes were entertained that the Chapel would be rebuilt on the same site but the City Council had other plans. [1] A new site was found, at the lower end of one of Plymouth's oldest thoroughfares, Catherine Street. Many stones recovered from the George Street Chapel were used in the new building. At a ceremony on Saturday November 2nd 1957, Lady Astor laid one as the Foundation Stone and the Chapel's secretary, Mr John Cottrell, laid the other as a Remembrance Stone. [2] Conceived by the then Minister, the Reverend H D Hilliard, the building was designed by Messrs Louis de Soissons, Peacock, Hodges, Robertson and Frazer.The contractors were Messrs A N Coles (Contractors) Ltd, of Plymouth. [2] The new Chapel was linked to the hall and class-rooms by a garden courtyard, formed with cobblestones to preserve a link with the former barbican and the Pilgrim Fathers. Although the congregation numbered only 100 there were seats - and foam-covered ones at that - for 500. The internal walls were of grey plaster panels relieved with buff-coloured brick piers. The window arrangement had been designed to restrict the interference from the sun during services, with the southern wall having no windows at all and the western wall having only small ones. The Baptistery was tiled in blue and set into the floor of the chancel. The communion table, pulpit and pews were made of lime oak. [3] An organ was provided by Messrs Hele & Company Ltd, who had supplied the one if the old George Street Chapel. [3] Others involved in the construction were Messrs Smith & Bowl, quantity surveyors; R T James & Partners, structural engineers; Messrs Ellmore & Company Ltd, joinery, seating and pulpit; and Messrs Colmore Electrical Ltd, electrical installation. [3] On the afternoon of Saturday November 29th 1958 the new Chapel was officially opened with a ceremony of dedication being performed by the Reverend W F Grey, a former Minister at Mutley Baptist Chapel. After tea, which was attended by the Lord Mayor, Alderman and Mrs G J Wingett, (there is no mention of them having attended the ceremony), a new Minister, the Reverend D H Pasco, was inducted. [4] A thin spire was added to the Chapel in 1959 and in 1960 a mural by Hans Feibusch, a refugee German Jew, of the baptism of Christ was unveiled and dedicated. [1]
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