St Andrew’s becomes a ‘Minster’
March 2, 2009 by Vicky
As part of the 1100th anniversary of the Diocese, the Bishop of Exeter has bestowed the title of ‘Minster’ on St. Andrew’s Church, Plymouth.
The title has only been granted to a handful of other churches across the country – and it will be the only Minister in the Diocese of Exeter.
The change in status recognises the importance of Plymouth as a city and the historic role of St Andrew’s as a place of worship.
The Rt Revd Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter said: ‘This is an historic step for St Andrews and is intended to be one way of celebrating the significance of the city of Plymouth in the life of our diocese.
‘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.’
The announcement follows a petition by Plymouth City Council which noted the ‘remarkable inspiration’ of the church’s famous Resurgam motto during the last war and resolved ‘to request the Bishop of Exeter to grant our historic Civic Church of St. Andrew the style and title of Minster, in recognition of the very great esteem in which this Church and its record of service is held by the City of Plymouth.’
A special service to mark the granting of Minster status will be held at St. Andrew’s on 29 November.
The title of ‘Minster’ dates back to monastic times when it was used to describe a major centre of Christian mission. In recent years this medieval designation has been re-introduced and bestowed on a handful of parish churches in urban areas – including Sunderland, Doncaster, Stoke-on-Trent and Newport – to acknowledge their wide responsibilities for their communities.
The Rector of St. Andrew’s, Prebendary Nick McKinnel, said: ‘We are delighted at the encouragement this gives us in our mission. We shall enjoy thinking in fresh and creative ways about our responsibilities for Christian witness and service.’
There has been a church on the site of St. Andrew’s since Saxon times and the first named vicar is recorded in 1087. Over the centuries the church has been associated with such notable figures as Catherine of Aragon, Sir Francis Drake, Sir John Hawkins, the Pilgrim Fathers, Captain Bligh of the Bounty and Sir Francis Chichester. In 1941 the church was burnt out in the Blitz and a wooden board bearing the word RESURGAM (I will rise again) was placed over the North door reflecting Christian hope in dark days. Today the six John Piper windows bring light and colour to the restored building.
Speaking in a radio broadcast in 1946, politician and solicitor Isaac Foot spoke of St. Andrew’s as Plymouth’s ‘most treasured possession’. ‘St. Andrew’s is at the very heart of the city. Plymouth and St. Andrew’s have, in a sense, grown up together and the church is regarded as the common inheritance of the people irrespective of their religious persuasion,’ he said.