The Church of the Ascension is the Anglican parish church for Crownhill in Plymouth. Conceived in the years of rapid post‑war expansion, it was built to serve a growing community whose earlier worshipping life had centred on Trinity Chapel in Budshead Road and later the former church hall on Crownhill Road. As numbers increased, the congregation joined with the Garrison Church of St Alban at Plumer Barracks before plans for a new, purpose‑built church took shape.

Designed by architects Robert Potter and Hare, the foundation stone was laid by Princess Alexandra on 25 May 1956. Construction was not straightforward — two contractors went into liquidation — but the parish persevered, directly employing subcontractors to complete the work. The church was finally dedicated on 6 December 1958. It incorporated furnishings from several older Plymouth churches, including pews from St Catherine of Alexandria, an organ from St Mary the Virgin and St Mary Magdalene, and a bell from Widey Court.

Architecturally, the building is notable for its distinctive altar set deep within the sanctuary and a striking granite reredos illuminated with coloured glass designed by Geoffrey Clarke. Slender granite pillars support the reinforced concrete roof, giving the interior a sense of spacious modernity. The church is a Grade II listed building, and has been praised by English Heritage, Nikolaus Pevsner in his Buildings of Devon, and lauded as ‘Beautifully detailed ... one of the most satisfactory buildings for liturgy to be completed in this country since the war’ by Peter Hammond in his survey of twentieth century church buildings Liturgy and Architecture.

We strive to be available for everyone who might need us: long-standing Christians, searchers, wonderers, the lost, the doubting. We are here if you want to be married, say goodbye to a loved one, or have your child baptised.

We are not perfect, and we try to learn together, and with each other. You would be most welcome to join us.