Historic Plymouth church given minster status

A church in Plymouth is to be given minster status, more than 50 years after it was rebuilt following its destruction in the Second World War.

St Andrew’s Church, known by locals as “the Mother Church” was declared a minster by the Bishop of Exeter to recognise the importance of Plymouth as a city. The title of minster is for larger churches which act as a “parent” to smaller local churches. The church is now the only minster in the Diocese of Exeter.

St Andrew’s has a very long history, going back to 1087 when a church was first built on the site.

More recently the church was bombed in an air raid during the Second World War. Following the raid all that remained of the church was the tower, bell, clock and walls.

The following day someone placed a sign in Latin reading, “Resurgam”, meaning “I will rise again”. The word is now engraved in stone above one of the entrances to the church.

Following the war, Queen Elizabeth laid the foundation stone for the restoration of the church in 1949. Eight years later the rebuilding of the church was completed.

The Rt Rev Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter said, "In recognising the historic role of St. Andrew's as a place of celebration, worship and mission for the city, we are also recognising the importance of the city in the South West and its historic contribution to our national life," reports the BBC.

The rector of St Andrew's, Prebendary Nick McKinnel also said, "It became a bit of a symbol of new life, of resurgence, and for that reason St Andrews has a deep place in the hearts of many people in this city.”