Diameter: 13.75" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 62112 Tower ID: 24665 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weston Mill: St Philip
Overview
Grid reference: SX 452 577
A large Gothic church of local limestone on a steeply sloping site on a street corner in the Weston Mill suburb of Plymouth, characterised by Edwardian and later terraced houses lining the looping roads climbing the steep hills here. The church was built in 1912-13 to a design by N Alton Bezeley, a local architect. A provisional chancel was replaced by a concrete apse with large stained glass window in 1963, partly a response to bomb damage in WWII.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Transeptal with apse, south-west tower.
Dimensions:
Nave including crossing 25m (85ft) long, 8m (25ft) wide, narrow aisles.
Description of Archaeology and History
The suburb derives its name from the de Weston dynasty of nearby Ham and a Medieval mill in the area, which was located some distance to the north. Archaeological remains are however not expected on the site.
The church was built in 1912-13 to a design by N Alton Bezeley, a local architect. A provisional chancel was replaced by a concrete apse with large stained glass window in 1963, partly a response to bomb damage in WWII.
Exterior Description
The west tower is of two stages with angle buttresses, capped by a pyramid roof with louvred belfry strip under the eaves. A polygonal undercroft with single pointed lights to each face protrudes from the west face, with flat parapet. The church is generally Perpendicular in style, with large pointed 4-light windows of this style to the south tower wall, nave west end and outer transept walls, and 2-lights to the aisle bays and clearstorey. Shallow baptistery at the west end of the nave with two quatrefoils. Cross finials to all gables.
The main entrance is a large pointed moulded arch on the south face, reached by steep stairs within a high retaining wall. The concrete chancel apse added in 1963 does not clash with the austere grey limestone exterior of the original building, and indeed the architecture could be described as somewhat mechanical.
There is a shouldered door leading to an under croft under the tower with sacristy and store room. Access to the church from here is via a flight of concrete stairs, emerging through a door at the west end of the south aisle.
Building Fabric and Features
Chancel
20th century
Transept
20th century
Apse
20th century
Tower (component)
20th century south west
Nave
20th century
Building Materials
Limestone
20th century coursed Plymouth limestone
Stone
20th century stone dressings
Timber
20th century internal roof
Slate
20th century external roof
Concrete
20th century chancel
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is dominated by the huge east window, which takes up the whole of the concrete chancel apse wall, boldly coloured - a fine Father Charles Norris window.
The interior is otherwise conventional, whitewashed throughout. Aisle arcades of just-pointed arches on octagonal piers with moulded caps, broad pointed transept and chancel arches. The roofs are arch-braced tunnel-vaults taken down to moulded corbels, woodblock floors. The arch at the east end of the south aisle is blocked with a shouldered door inserted leading outside.
The furnishings and fittings have been much altered, there are lambda benches in the nave, and a few original choir stall benches with carved ends. There is a Childrens' Corner and Lady Chapel in the north aisle and the organ is housed in the north transept.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century dark-stained oak chest 1963
Reredos
20th century Concrete celtic cross with chains around the head in chancel, painted triptych with Crucifixion and Madonna to the Lady Chapel at the east end of the south aisle by a local artist, 1983.
Pulpit
20th century octagonal, wooden, with pierced panels on moulded stone base.
Lectern
20th century wooden
Font (component)
20th century stone octagonal font, plain
Stained Glass (window)
20th century East window by Charles Norris, 1963 depicting St Philip, very bold and colourful, thick glass in leading.
Plaque (component)
20th century brass plaques including board with clergy from 1913
Organ (component)
20th century Large 2-manual pipe organ with plaque stating rebuilt by Hele & Co, given by Sir John Jackson. Pipes painted blue and handsome architectural case.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers from 1912.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SX 452 577
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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