List of churches in Torbay facts for kids

Torbay is a beautiful area in Devon, England, known for its stunning coastline and lovely towns like Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. Like many places, Torbay has many churches, which are special buildings where people gather for worship, community events, and to learn about their faith. These churches belong to different Christian groups, like the Church of England, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, and others.

This article will tell you about some of the churches you can find in Torbay, both ones that are still active today and some that have closed their doors over the years.

Active Churches in Torbay

Torbay is home to many active churches, meaning they are still open and used for worship and community activities. There are about 65 active churches for the 130,959 people living here. That's roughly one church for every 2,015 people! Before the 1700s, there were only five main churches in the area.

Let's look at some interesting examples of active churches across Torbay's neighbourhoods:

Churches in Torquay

Torquay has a wide variety of churches, from historic buildings to modern community centres.

Historic Churches in Torquay

• St Mary the Virgin, St Marychurch: This church in St Marychurch is very old, dating back to medieval times. Sadly, it was mostly destroyed by a bomb during World War II but was lovingly rebuilt.
• Our Lady Help of Christians & St Denis: Also in St Marychurch, this Roman Catholic church was built between 1867 and 1881. It's so special that it's a Grade I listed building, meaning it's protected for its historical importance.
• All Saints, Babbacombe: Located in Babbacombe, this Church of England building was constructed between 1865 and 1867. It's another Grade I listed church, known for its beautiful architecture.
• St John the Apostle, Torquay: This church started as a smaller "Chapel of Ease" in 1822. The main St John's church was built later and became its own parish in 1862.
• Assumption of Our Lady, Torquay: This Roman Catholic church in Torquay was built between 1853 and 1854.
• St Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, Torquay: This church, founded in 1972, has an interesting history. Its building was once a Church of England church called St Saviour's.
• Upton Vale Baptist Church: Founded in 1832, the current building for this Baptist church in Torquay was built a bit later, between 1862 and 1863.
• Torbay Central Church: This unique church in Torquay is a combination of two different Christian groups: Methodist and United Reformed Church (URC). They united and built their new church in 1976.
• All Saints, Torre: Located in Torre, this Church of England church was built in 1867 and then rebuilt between 1886 and 1889.
• SS George & Mary, Cockington: This church in Cockington is very old, dating back to medieval times. It's one of the three original ancient churches in the Torquay area.

Modern and Community Churches in Torquay

• The Willows Community Church: This is an independent church located in The Willows area.
• Together Church: This church, part of the Newfrontiers group, meets in a building called The Echo Building in Upton.
• Riviera Life Church: Planted from another church in Paignton, this Assemblies of God church started around the 1970s.
• Engage Torbay: This church is part of the Hillsong Network.
• Overcomers House Torquay: This Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) congregation meets at Torquay Boys' Grammar School in Shiphay.

Churches in Paignton

Paignton also has a rich mix of churches, old and new.

Historic Churches in Paignton

• St Paul's Church, Preston, Paignton: Located in Preston, this Church of England church started around 1900. Its first building was in 1909, and it was rebuilt in 1939.
• Christ Church, Paignton: This Church of England church was founded in 1888. Its first building, from 1886, is now used as the church hall.
• St John the Baptist, Paignton: This is another medieval church in Paignton, showing its long history.
• Sacred Heart & St Teresa of the Child Jesus: This Roman Catholic church in Paignton was founded in 1882. The current building was constructed between 1930 and 1931 and was re-dedicated in 1992.
• Paignton Baptist Church: This Baptist church was founded in 1830, and its current building was built between 1882 and 1886.
• Southfields Methodist Church, Paignton: This Methodist church, founded in 1884, is no longer used for worship. It's now called Southfield Christian Centre and helps the community by being home to the Paignton Community Larder.
• St Mary the Virgin, Collaton St Mary: This Church of England church was built between 1864 and 1866 in Collaton St Mary.
• St George, Goodrington: Located in Goodrington, this Church of England church was built in 1938.
• Galmpton Evangelical Congregational Church: Founded in 1831 in Galmpton, its building is known as Flavel Chapel.

Modern and Community Churches in Paignton

• Roselands Community Church: This Baptist church was started in the 1990s by other local Baptist churches.
• Living Waters Church, Paignton: This Assemblies of God church was founded in 1965 in Preston.

Churches in Brixham

Brixham, a historic fishing town, also has several churches.

Historic Churches in Brixham

• All Saints, Brixham: This Church of England church was founded in 1815. It was once the home of Henry Francis Lyte, who wrote the famous hymn "Abide with Me."
• St Mary, Brixham: Another medieval church, St Mary's in Brixham has been a place of worship for centuries.
• Brixham Baptist Church: Founded in 1801, this Baptist church was rebuilt in 1858.

Modern and Community Churches in Brixham

• Our Lady Star of the Sea, Brixham: This Roman Catholic church, built in 1967, has a unique feature: it's the only church in Torbay with a car park on its roof!
• Brixham United Reformed Church: This URC church has a new building that was completed in 2009.
• Brixham Community Church: This Assemblies of God church started around the 1970s.

Defunct Churches

Sometimes, churches close down or are no longer used for regular worship. This can happen for many reasons, like fewer people attending, the building becoming too old, or different churches merging. These are called "defunct" or "redundant" churches. Even though they are no longer active churches, their buildings often have interesting histories.

Here are a few examples of churches in Torbay that are no longer active:

• St Barnabas, Ellacombe: This Church of England church, founded in 1878, closed in 1965.
• St Saviour, Torquay: This was a very old Church of England parish church of Tormoham, dating back to medieval times. It closed in the 1960s and is now used by the Greek Orthodox Church. It was once part of Torre Abbey.
• St Michael & All Angels, Torquay: Built between 1875 and 1877, this Church of England church was demolished in 1968.
• Holy Trinity, Torquay: This church, founded in 1830-1831, closed in 1980. It was originally independent before joining the Church of England.
• SS John Fisher & Thomas More, Hele Road: This Roman Catholic church, founded in 1935, was demolished before 2006.
• Abbey Road Congregational Church: Founded in 1847, this church was demolished in 1982. Its congregation merged with Furrough Road URC.
• St Michael's Church, Paignton: This Church of England church, built in 1939, closed in 1979. However, a preserved chapel within it is still used for services.