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Stoke Damerel Church facts for kids

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Stoke Damerel Church
Stoke Damerel Church in winter - geograph.org.uk - 1111563.jpg
Stoke Damerel Church
Religion
Affiliation Church of England
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Active
Location
Location Stoke, Plymouth, Devon, England
Architecture
Architectural type Church

Stoke Damerel Church, also known as the Church of St Andrew with St Luke, is a historic Church of England building. You can find it in Stoke, a part of Plymouth, Devon, England. This church has been around since the 15th century.

It is a very important building, officially recognized as a Grade II* listed site since 1954. This means it's a special building that needs to be protected. Even some parts of its churchyard are listed, like the old gate piers and two 19th-century tombs. One of these tombs belongs to Captain Tobias Furneaux, a famous explorer!

The Church's Story: A Look Back in Time

How Old is Stoke Damerel Church?

There was actually an even older church on this spot before the current one. Records show a church here as far back as the 13th century. The church you see today was built in the 15th century. The tower is the oldest part of the building.

Changes Over the Years

The church has been changed and made bigger many times. In the 18th century, it was greatly updated. It was made larger in 1715 and again in 1751. This was because more and more people were moving to Stoke Damerel. The church also served people working at HMNB Devonport, a large naval base.

More work happened in the 19th century. A clock was added to the tower in 1811. The chancel, a special part of the church near the altar, was rebuilt in 1868. The whole church was also restored in 1883.

Plans for a New Church (That Didn't Happen)

At the start of the 20th century, there was a plan to replace the church entirely. A new rectory (the house for the church's priest) was built in 1902, along with part of the new church building. However, the plan was soon stopped. Instead, the existing church was restored again in 1904. It has continued to serve the community ever since.

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