Places of worship

Plymouth has a multi-faith population, with followers of the Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and other world religions.

There are about 150 Christian churches in the city, serving many denominations including Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, Brethren, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Baptist, Pentecostal and Quaker. The oldest of these churches is St Andrews at the top of Royal Parade, the Mother Church of Plymouth and the biggest parish church in Devon. Christians have been gathering at the site of the church for 1,200 years; parts of the present building date from the thirteenth century, and the tower from the mid-fifteenth century.

St Andrews lost its roof and suffered other damage during an air raid in 1941. The next day, someone attached to the door a wooden sign with the word "Resurgam", meaning "I will rise again". After restoration, a granite plaque with the word was inserted above what is now Resurgam door, reflecting the spirit of the people of Plymouth during the war.

Plymouth's Jewish heritage can be traced to Sir Francis Drake and his voyage around the world in 1577 to 1580. The Golden Hind's log mentions Moses the Jew, the ship's navigator and quartermaster who came from the Barbican. This is the first known reference to Jews in the South West. Plymouth's synagogue, in Catherine Street behind the Guildhall, is a Listed Grade II* building and the oldest Ashkenazi (originating from Eastern Europe) synagogue in the English-speaking world, dedicated in 1762.

Places of worship for other faiths, including Baha'i, Buddhist, Chinese and Islamic, can also be visited in the city.