Plymouth, Churches, Chapels and Places of Worship | Baptist Chapels

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CHURCHES, CHAPELS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP | BAPTIST CHAPELS

CROWNHILL BAPTIST CHAPEL

Updated: 24 June 2011

The Crownhill Baptist Chapel was situated in Berwick Avenue, at Crownhill, Plymouth.

When the Pembroke Street Baptist Chapel in Devonport was demolished as part of a post-War redevelopment scheme, it was decided to build its replacement on Plymouth's new housing estate at Crownhill. The building was designed by Messrs Louis de Soissons and could be used both as a church, seating some 250 people, and a church hall, complete with a stage, to seat around 300 people. The rostrum from the old Chapel was adapted to become the pulpit and the two-manual organ from the old building was also re-used in the new Chapel. The premises also included a flat for the minister. [1]

Crownhill Baptist Chapel was opened and dedicated by Mr R J Langmaid, the president of the Devon & Cornwall Baptist Association, on Saturday July 26th 1958. The service of dedication was conducted by the Reverend Charles Dyer. He also presided at the evening service, when the first minister, the Reverend J E Chandler, was inducted by the Reverend H H Pewtress, the Baptist Superintendent Minister, Western Area. The key used to unlock the new Chapel was presented on behalf of the architects by Mr Robert Fraser. [1]

After suffering many years of vandalism and intimidation, the last service was held at Crownhill Baptist Chapel on September 22nd 2007, when the minister was the Reverend Geoff Sussex [2]

The building has now been demolished and replaced with social housing.

Sources (incomplete):

[1] "City Baptist Church is Opened: Pulpit, organ from old building", Western Evening Herald, Plymouth, July 28th 1958.

[2] "Sad end for Baptist church", The Herald, Plymouth, July 17th 2007.