PLYMOUTH
DATA
www.plymouthdata.info

The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

CHURCHES, CHAPELS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP  |  ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES

"HOTSPUR" / "MONMOUTH" HULK CHAPEL

From 1859 the Admiralty provided a hulk, formerly "HMS Hotspur", as a Roman Catholic Chapel.  It was moored in the Hamoaze, off the Royal Dockyard.  [1]

The "Hotspur" was a 5th rate ship of the line built in 1828.  [1]

It is understood that some 800 men used to worship in the hulk chapel and this overcrowding gave rise to Bishop Vaughan, Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, asking for a site on which to build a proper Church.  This became the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Michael and Saint Joseph at Mutton Cove.  [2]

It was renamed the "Monmouth" in 1868 and finally sold in 1902 when the Roman Catholic Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer was opened in Ocean Street, Keyham, Plymouth.  [1]

Sources:

[1]  Warlow, Lt Cdr B, "Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy", Maritime Books, Liskeard, Cornwall, 2nd edition, 2000, ISBN 0-907771-73-4.

[2]  Opening of a Roman Catholic Church at Devonport", Western Morning News, Plymouth, December 20th 1861.

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

Any problems viewing this webpage should be notified to the webmaster at plymouthdata dot info