St. Andrew's Church, Plymouth

The Minster Church of Saint Andrew, commonly known as Saint Andrew’s Church, is a prominent Anglican church with a deep historical legacy. Situated in Plymouth, it serves as the original parish church of Sutton, one of the three towns that merged to form the modern city of Plymouth. Saint Andrew’s holds the distinction of being the largest parish church in the historic county of Devon, with its initial construction dating back to the mid to late 15th century.

Saint Andrew’s site likely hosted a Saxon church from the 8th century and was once linked to Plympton Abbey. Confirmed by the 11th century, it saw major expansion in the 15th century due to the town's growth. The current structure, built between 1430 and 1490 in Perpendicular style, showcases Plymouth blue-sky limestone with Dartmoor granite buttresses. A 1460 plaque on the tower marks its completion, funded by merchant Thomas Yogge, who also built the nearby Prysten House.

A Purbeck marble effigy tomb from the earlier church now rests in the north transept. The building saw restorations by John Foulston in 1824, Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1875, and Sir Frederick Etchells after WWII bomb damage. Saint Andrew's was devastated during the Plymouth Blitz of 1941. Amid the ruins, a headmistress placed a sign reading "Resurgam" ("I shall rise again") over the door, a symbol of resilience later commemorated with a granite plaque.

The post-war restoration led by Etchells included re-roofing and the construction of a new chancel, as the original had been reduced to ruins. The church was reconsecrated on Saint Andrew’s Day, November 30, 1957. The interior spans 185 feet in length and 96 feet in width, with two aisles flanking each side of the nave and one aisle on each side of the chancel. The arcades feature designs characteristic of 15th-century Cornish churches. The tower, standing at 136 feet, remains an imposing element of the church’s architecture.

In 2009, Saint Andrew’s Church was designated as a Minster Church, solidifying its status as a religious and civic landmark.