St Edmund’s Church, Exeter 1971

The dramatic urban transformation of Exeter, Devon, is captured in this authentic 1970s colour photograph from 1971. The archival image documents the clearance of the Exe Island area to make way for the city’s new road schemes, with St Edmund’s Church remaining as a central landmark amidst the destruction. In the foreground, a yellow tracked bulldozer sits near a large mound of red earth and brick rubble, surrounded by the skeletal remains of partially demolished industrial and residential buildings with shattered windows. The church, constructed of local volcanic stone with its characteristic square crenellated tower, stands resiliently in the middle ground. In the distance, newer post-war social housing blocks on the hillside provide a glimpse into the city’s modern future. This factual record provides a stark look at the loss of historic fabric during the 1970s redevelopment era, capturing the moment before the church was deconsecrated and eventually repurposed.