Royal Citadel Church Of St Catherine

The Royal Citadel Church of St Catherine, also known as the Royal Chapel, is located within the Royal Citadel fort in Plymouth. The church was initially built between 1667 and 1688 on the site of a 14th-century chapel, and it was enlarged and partly rebuilt in 1845. The eastern wall of the chancel was rebuilt following damage during World War II, and the chancel was subsequently renovated.

The church is constructed of Plymouth limestone rubble, with Plymouth limestone laid in regular courses for the 1845 additions, and has dry slate roofs with coped gables. It is designed in an Early Gothic style. The building follows a cruciform plan, with the main roof running north-south, alongside porches positioned at the northwest and southwest angles, and an organ loft in the southeast angle. Galleries are present on each arm of the cross except the chancel.

The exterior features pointed arched windows, with larger windows lighting the sides of the nave, chancel and transepts, and incorporating Y tracery. Triple lancets provide light to the galleries at the north and south ends. The principal north doorway has a moulded round arch with a square hoodmould; other doorways are pointed arched, and retain their original 1845 doors.

Inside, the church has a plastered ceiling from 1845, divided into panels with moulded ribs and cornices, with painted decoration in the chancel. Original galleries are present, featuring wrought-iron balustrades over a moulded entablature, supported by quatrefoil-section cast-iron stanchions. A painted stone octagonal font with a moulded base and cornices and blind Gothic arcading are original fittings. Later 19th-century additions include an octagonal pulpit with blind Gothic tracery and pews with shaped ends. Numerous monuments commemorate soldiers of the fort, including two Tudor Gothic style marble monuments to Patrick Doull Calder and William Cuthbert Elphinstone Holloway, both located on the north and south walls flanking the east end of the chancel. This building is one of several associated with the outstanding 17th-century fort, originally designed by Sir Bernard de Gomme.