About St Anne's Church

​The Parish of Bickleigh is here to serve our congregations and community. Our aim is to serve – whether that be by prayer, fellowship or community action. Our communities are the heart of the Parish. St Anne’s Church in Glenholt in particular lends itself to serve the community with regular community activities.  St Anne's church is situated in the heart of Glenholt, Plymouth and we are here to serve the community of Glenholt and Glenholt Park and surrounding areas. We are part of the Parish of Bickleigh and Shaugh Prior - which includes St Mary's Church, Bickleigh, St Cecilia's Church, Woolwell and St Edward's Church in Shaugh Prior. We would love you to visit us in any of our churches or online

The History of St Anne's Church
The first known worship centre in Glenholt was a Church Army caravan in Plym Woods in 1925 - used mainly by loggers as there were very few houses. At that time Glenholt was part of the Parish of Eggbuckland. As more people became interested, the worship centre moved to a member's front room, and then to an extension on the site of a very old cottage situated beside what is now the children's playground in Woodford Road.

In 1928, an entry in the Eggbuckland Church minute book reported an interview with Mr R.H. Folley regarding a piece of land which he wished to donate for the purpose of erecting a Mission Hall or Church

The conveyance of this piece of land to the Exeter Diocese was completed but when an application for planning permission was submitted, Plymouth Corporation took out a compulsory purchase order for the land which was required as part of the airport development. Finally in June 1933 a second site was identified and was donated to the diocese by Mr R.H. Folley for the purpose of building a church. And this is the location of the present St Anne's Church.

 The first turf was cut on the 1st January 1955 and the building work commenced. The work was undertaken by 20 men - all volunteers, working in their spare time. By October 1955 the walls had been built to several feet above the ground and a foundation stone inscribed with the date 1955 was laid by Miss Amy Briggs, the sister of Revd. Briggs, a missionary priest who often held services at St Anne's. The Church was licensed on 22nd March 1956, given the legal authority to hold services, and a dedication ceremony was held on the 25th April of the same year when the Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt. Revd. Norman H Clarke.

In the 1980's ,the Church was transferred to the Bickleigh Parish. With a growing congregation, a large extension was added in 1995 followed by the addition of a Sanctuary in 1999.  St Anne's is very much a Church and the focal point of the community of Glenholt.

St Anne's Church Today

Foundation stone inscribed with the date 1955, laid by Miss Amy Briggs, the sister of Revd. Briggs

St Anne's Church Glenholt, The first 50 Years 1956 - 2006 Celebration Brochure (click on images to enlarge)

*Article and photos Courtesy The Communications Committee in Partnership with St Anne's Church and The Reverend Roger Carlton