A Brief History (2)

Between the two World Wars, city youth-hostels and the new University College close by brought overflowing congregations and an additional door was inserted on the High Street side of the bow. In 1942 when the blitz reduced this part of Exeter to rubble, St Stephen’s suffered only minor damage, although its stained-glass windows were blown out (that now on the north side, representing St Stephen being welcomed into heaven, was given in 1949). And fire in the tower caused the bells to fall and break (their fragments collected together and moulded into one new one). Necessary structural repairs were carried out under prevailing post-war conditions, urgently and with substitute or low-grade materials.

Following Exeter’s post-war reconstruction fewer people were housed in the centre but St Stephen’s busy High Street location remained important. In 1972 its heavy Victorian fittings were removed to allow more flexible use of space, and the bow made into a meeting-room. With attractive east-end wall-hangings by local artist Bobbie Cox, St Stephen’s embarked on a period of hosting lively church services, exhibitions, concerts and community activities of all kinds.

To this day, charitable and voluntary organisations continue to use the church's unique location to publicise their activities, recruit members and raise funds for their cause. In addition to regular Sunday services, about 80 charitable organisations use the church on most weekdays each year. In addition, the use of the building for concerts and recitals of various kinds has been encouraged. The experience of sharing the building as a multi-functional space on a regular basis has been accumulating over a period of thirty years.

The building is surrounded by intensive commercial activity to be expected in a major city which has grown in importance since the Roman army first arrived over 2000 years ago.