OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

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ANGLICAN MISSION CHURCH OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

The Anglican Mission Church of Saint Michael the Archangel is situated in Central Road, at West Hoe, Plymouth.  The building is now the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Demetrios and Saint Nikitas.

As the Anglican Church of Saint James the Less could accommodate only 800 people whereas the parish was occupied by some 5,000 residents it became necessary, or expedient, to erect a mission church.  Even then it only came about through 'the kindness of some unknown friend' who sent the vicar, the Reverend W H Child, a sum of £400 towards its construction.

Mr W H Prance, the solicitor, laid the foundation stone of the new mission church on Wednesday July 8th 1891.  The architect was Mr E R Jones and the builder, Mr J P Berry, both of Plymouth.  The stone came from Polyphant, near Launceston, Cornwall, and the building was dressed with Ruabon sandstone.  The cost, including the purchase of the site, amounted to £1,400.  Mr Willoughby played the harmonium and conducted the choir.

It was expected to be ready for worship by November 1891.

After being used during the Second World War as a warehouse for radio equipment and then a canteen, the Church was rededicated on Saturday February 28th 1948.  The service was carried out by the Bishop of Exeter with the assistance of the Bishop of Plymouth, who both visited the font (an upturned ship's bell on a capstan), the lectern, the pulpit, the chancel and the holy table where they read extracts from the Scriptures.  The organ was played by Mr Cecil H Harris, from Gillingham, Kent, the brother of Mr J R Harris, Church secretary.

The first regular service was held by the Bishop of Plymouth on Sunday February 29th 1948.

Mr James Frederick Hopley and Mrs Adeline Violet Body, nee Pearce, were the first couple to get married at Saint Michael's Church on Wednesday May 19th 1948.