Sacred Heart Church, Exeter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sacred Heart Church
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OS grid reference	SX9203492439
Location	Exeter, Devon
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	ExeterSacredHeart.talktalk.net
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Sacred Heart
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Designated	18 June 1974
Architect(s)	Leonard Stokes
Style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	1883
Completed	18 November 1884
Administration
Deanery	Exeter
Diocese	Plymouth
Province	Southwark

Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic church in Exeter, Devon, England. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth. The church was built between 1883 and 1884. It was designed by the architect Leonard Stokes.

You can find Sacred Heart Church in the city centre. It is on the corner of South Street and Bear Street. It is also very close to Exeter Cathedral. The church is built in the Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like older Gothic churches. It is also a Grade II listed building. This means it is a special historic building.

History of Sacred Heart Church

How the Church Started

Before this church was built, Roman Catholics in Exeter met in people's homes. They would gather in rooms for Mass. Mass is the main worship service in the Catholic Church.

The first Catholic chapel in Exeter was built in 1791. It was near the old St Nicholas' Priory. Sacred Heart Church was later built in its place.

The land where the church stands used to be a pub called the Bear Tavern. Long ago, before monasteries were closed down, it was a house for important abbots. The church also remembers a time called the Reformation. Inside, there is a statue of St Thomas More. He was a person who died for his beliefs during that time. There is also a special banner with five wounds on it. This remembers the Western Rebellion of 1549.

In the mid-1800s, Catholic people gained more rights. This was called Catholic Emancipation. At that time, about 1% of churchgoers in the southwest of England were Catholic.

Building the Church

In 1788, a group was formed to help the Catholic community in Exeter. There were about 300 Catholic people living there then. The local bishop guided this group. Building work started once they had enough money.

Construction of the church began in 1883. The first stone was laid by Bishop William Vaughan. He was the Bishop of Plymouth. When the church was finished in 1884, the Catholic community moved in. They left their old chapel near the priory.

Sacred Heart Church is one of the earliest buildings designed by Leonard Stokes. He worked with another person named C. E. Ware at the time. The church officially opened on November 18, 1884. The inside of the church uses special stones. These include Bath Corsham, Pocombe, and Portland stone. The whole building cost about £10,000. Later, in 1926, the church tower was finished. It was planned to have a pointed top. But it ended up as a flat-top tower, about 140 feet tall. It has a bell that weighs 51 kilograms.

The Church During World War II

During World War II, Exeter faced many air raids in April 1942. South Street was hit very hard. But Sacred Heart Church, its house for priests (presbytery), and the Baptist church next door survived.

This survival is partly thanks to the priests of Sacred Heart. The main priest, Father Thomas Barney, and his helpers, Father Michael Walsh and Father P Pedrick, stayed. They used sand and water to put out fire bombs that landed on the church and nearby buildings. They stayed even when they were told to leave. Father Barney later said he saw a sign of the Cross in the sky that night.

After the war ended, the church celebrated. They held a procession along South Street, which was still in ruins.

After the War

After the war, Sacred Heart Church was updated. This was done following new rules from the Second Vatican Council. In 1966, a wooden altar was added. This allowed priests to celebrate Mass while facing the people. The church also became closely connected to the local Catholic school. This school is called St Nicholas' Primary School.

The church also helped Catholic students at Exeter University. This continued until a separate group was formed for them in 1965.

Inside the Church

The church has a large screen made of wrought-iron. This screen is called a rood screen. It was given to the church in 1886.

On either side of this screen, you can see statues. These statues show different saints. They include St Sidwell, St George, and St Edward the Confessor. There is also a statue of an unknown figure. People believe it might be St Walburga.

The church has a high altar made of Portland stone. This altar is no longer the main one. This is because of the updates made after the Second Vatican Council. The church also has three smaller altars. To the left of the main area is the Lady Chapel. To the right is the chapel of St Joseph. There is also a third altar. It is dedicated to St Boniface, who is a special saint for the local area.

Church Services

The church holds three Sunday Masses. One is on Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. The other two are on Sunday morning, at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. There is also a Polish Mass every Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

During the week, Mass is held at 10:00 a.m. from Monday to Saturday. There is also an evening Mass on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Outside the Church

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  South side

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  Side chapel

See also

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth