In 1958, at a service conducted by the vicar of the parish, J Allen James, the church was dedicated as a memorial for the 1,200 civilian deaths in air raids.

In 1634, the mayor and thirty members of the council assembled and passed a resolution to petition King Charles I, for permission to divide the old Parish of Plymouth into two and build a second church.

This is hinted at by the Pilgrim fathers who felt at home here, "kindly entertained and courteously used by divers friends there dwelling".

Eventually Robert Trelawny, who had become Member of Parliament for Plymouth (and despite his royalist sympathy) persuaded the king to act.

Building commenced immediately in 1641 but was halted the following by the English Civil War as men were needed for the defence of the town.

The church remained in that state until 1645 when the town was relieved; staunchly Protestant, Plymouth sided with Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians; it held out against the King's men throughout the Civil War, almost alone in a Royalist West Country.

A glance at the map of the besieged city in 1643 reveals that the church is marked but without a roof on the plan.After the war, work began again, albeit slowly due to financial difficulties.

Francis Porter, who was Presbyterian, conformed and kept his living and the church was consecrated by Bishop Seth Ward of Exeter on 2 September 1665 (after the restoration of the monarchy).

The consecration caused a little controversy as the bishop wanted to dedicate the church to "Charles, King and Martyr".

The Puritans insisted the church be named according to the letters Patent of 1641 signed in Charles's own hand.

People started moving out from the centre of the towns to the suburbs and Plymouth was no exception as the population increased steadily from the early 18th century to 1814.

On 17 October 1661, the church took a collection of monies which was given to John de Kavino Kavainsley of the Dukedom of Lithuania, for the printing of the Bible in Lithuanian.

Some of the more notable were: After the Battle of Britain phase of World War II, the air raids on Plymouth were rapidly intensified.

On Saturday 1958 at a service conducted by the vicar of the parish, J Allen James, the church was dedicated as a memorial.

The commemorative plaque on the north wall reads:: Charles Church Built 1641, consecrated 1665, completed 1708.

The idea of restoration having been sponsored by the Old Plymouth Society, as a memorial to those citizens of Plymouth who were killed in air-raids on the city in the 1939-45 War.The church is occasionally used for services of remembrance or of special importance and the current Vicar of Charles with St Matthias is responsible for them.

Modern use has been for the university carol concerts and a special service of reconciliation between Germany and Plymouth was held there in 2001 with the German ambassador present.

During the mid-1990s there was a campaign to partially restore the church to incorporate some modern glazed roofing to enclose a blitz museum.

Much of what follows is his work: Within a few weeks of the great raid that destroyed the building, the writer, in company with Mr Cyril Palmer, had the opportunity of paying more than one visit to the ruins, for the purpose of making photographic and other records.

As may be expected, every scrap of woodwork, old and new, had been consumed; even the tower had been burned out; and the only part to escape destruction was the modern vestry on the north side of the chancel.

There was originally a doorway underneath the east window, this had been walled up in 1665: its location became apparent by the damage caused in the blitz.

To the Glory of God and in Affectionate Remembrance of Admiral Robert Blake who first established the Naval Supremacy of Great Britain which has ever since been maintained.

This window is placed by several English and American Family descendants for the purpose of recording his daring bravery, his splendid achievements and his pure noble blameless character, August 1889.

7.In the north aisle: To the Memory of Mr William Rowe of this towne, Merchant, a great benefactor the poor, who died ye 27 day of December 1690.

Such were the tears she shed who grateful pays, This last sad tribute of her love and praise, Who mourns the best of friends and parents kind, Where female softness met a manly mind.

Mourns but not murmurs, sighs but not despairs, Feels as a mortal - as a Christian bears.To the Memory of Francis Hawker, Daughter of John and Mary Frances Hawker, who died the 16th of May 1818: Aged 24 yearsTo the Memory of Mary Frances Winne, Daughter of Sir Edmund Keynton Williams and Catherine his Wife.

Nov. 29 1820.A lower tablet records: Also her sisters, Caroline Winne, who died Feb 20th 1822 aged 5 months.

Also Elizabeth Fortescue, his Wife, and the Eldest Daughter of the Late Rev William Wells, Rector of East Allington, Devon.

The monument erected by Edward Fortescue and Oswald Cornish Arthur as a Tribute of Affection to their Beloved Parents, Sister and Brother.In the west tower - north side: William Spark of Fryery in Plymouth Esqr, died the 8th day of June in the year 1714.

Also Sarah Tracey, Relict of the above, Died June 9, 1838, aged 79.Elizabeth, Wife of Sir I. H. Seymour, Bart, Rector of Northchurch, Herts., Eldest Daughter of Robert Culme of Tothill, Rector of North Lewe and Parochial Curate of Plympton St Mary.