Charles Church, Plymouth.
N 50° 22.306 W 004° 08.167
30U E 419208 N 5580583
The bombed out shell of a Plymouth Church.
Waymark Code: WM3APP
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/06/2008
Views: 20
Charles Church was situated in Vennel Street,Plymouth before the Second World War. It was reputedly one of the last Gothic churches to be built. Sadly this venerable old Church is now in the centre of the Charles Cross roundabout and is preserved as a monument to those civilians who died in Plymouth during the Second World War.
In 1634 the City Councillors petitioned King Charles for a new parish to be created on the pretence that St Andrew's Church was no longer large enough for its religious needs. The parish was to be named Charles so the King could hardly refuse, although he took seven years to make up his mind. It took until 1641 for the King to be granted the request. Work started in 1642 and was up to roof level when the English Civil War stopped work. Work on the church was re-commenced after the war and the building was consecrated by the Bishop of Exeter in 1665. A spire was added in 1708 and this was replaced by stone 1767.
Charles Church was destroyed during the night of March 20th/21st 1941 and consequently nothing remains of the interior . The Council's Reconstruction Committee decided on June 15th 1953 that the Council should acquire and demolish the Church. Despite continued cries for it to be demolished it was partially restored in 1952. On Saturday November 1st 1958 the Reverend J Allen James, vicar of Charles with St Luke, dedicated it as a fitting memorial to Plymouth's 1,200 civilian dead in the Second World War.
It is very difficult to visit the church as the traffic around it is very busy all day.
Building Materials: Stone
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Visit Instructions:
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