Royal Chapel of St Katherine-upon-the-Hoe

The Royal Chapel of St Katherine-upon-the-Hoe stands within the Royal Citadel in Plymouth. The first church on this site received a licence for services in 1371 from the Bishop of Exeter. In 1666 the original building was pulled down and a new nave, chancel and sanctuary were built in its place. Further additions came in 1845 when galleries and transepts were added, giving the chapel its present symmetrical cross shape. The chapel holds the title Royal Chapel, which King George V re-granted in 1927 during a visit to the citadel. It serves as the garrison church for the Royal Artillery and 29 Commando. The chapel is a Grade II listed building and has stood for centuries as a place of worship and military ceremony. Its long history is marked by the licence of 1371 and the rebuilding of the 17th century. The symmetrical cross plan from the 19th-century additions gives the interior a clear, balanced form. The re-granting of the Royal title in 1927 shows its continuing importance to the armed forces. Visitors can sense the layers of military and religious history in every detail. Inside, the nave, chancel and sanctuary form the heart of the chapel. The 1845 galleries and transepts create a cross-shaped layout that guides the eye through the space. The Grade II listing recognises its architectural and historical value. Military services still take place here for the Royal Artillery and 29 Commando. The chapel’s long presence on the Hoe adds to the character of Plymouth’s historic waterfront.