St Mary Arches Church - Mary Arches Street

Situated just off the top of Fore Street in what was a narrow alleyway and is now an important part of the one-way system, this little church has some important Norman features. It retains its Norman windows and the arches lining each side of the nave, separating it from the side aisles. During the 14th to 16th centuries, it was used as a centre of worship by many merchants and Mayors of Exeter. 

In September 1739, John Wesley was offered the chance to preach from the church - however, the arrangement was hastily cancelled when his doctrine was judged to be 'dangerous' and 'might lead people into enthusiasm or despair' by Bishop Stephen Weston.

When the public conduit situated outside the College of the Vicars Choral in South Street was demolished in 1830, the four decorative stone balls on the top were relocated onto the four corners of the tower of St Mary Arches, where they remain to this day.

The church escaped the actual bombing of 4th May 1942. However, while the sisters of St Wilfrid's Community held a communion service the next day, a smouldering incendiary bomb erupted. The sisters had to dash into the church to save the processional cross and crucifix. The 15th-century wagon roof was badly damaged and much original furniture was lost.

In 1950, the church was restored by S Dykes-Bower. The roof, was rebuilt as a barrel vault, using teak timbers from the US timber store at the Topsham Naval Store that was being held back to repair landing craft damaged during D-Day. One story goes that they used timber from a landing craft that took part in the D-day landings that had been beached on the Exe estuary, although my source believes that was incorrect. The outside was not so well restored and imitation stone was used to make repairs.

The church is now the home of the colours of Devon's Home Guard, or 'Dad's Army' and those men who died defending Devon during the air-raids. See Home Guard Graves