Sacred Heart Church, Exeter, Gothic Revival parish church in Exeter, England
Sacred Heart Church is a Gothic Revival parish church in Exeter located at the intersection of South Street and Bear Street. The building features a flat-topped tower and a wrought-iron rood screen dating from 1886 that reflects its Victorian construction.
The church opened on November 18, 1884, replacing an earlier Catholic chapel that had stood on the site since 1791. The location had previously been home to the Bear Tavern before becoming the site of this new parish church.
The interior features statues of St Thomas More, St George, and other English saints that represent the country's religious traditions. These sculptures offer visitors insight into the faith and devotion that has defined this community for generations.
The church holds several services throughout the week, including specialized ones that serve different congregations. Visitors should find the entrance easy to locate and the interior straightforward to navigate.
During World War II air raids, parish priests protected the building by manually extinguishing incendiary bombs that struck the structure. This brave action allowed the church to survive the bombing campaigns.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.