All Saints Church in Torre, Torquay, has honoured Agatha Christie, the world-renowned “Queen of Crime”, with a blue plaque at the very place where she was baptised.

The church unveiled the plaque on Sunday as part of this year’s Agatha Christie Festival, celebrating its historic connection to the celebrated author, who died in 1976 and was baptised at All Saints in 1890. The event also marked 135 years since Christie’s birth.

All Saints Church, designed by architect John Pearson and partly funded by the Christie family, still bears reminders of her early life. The marble font where Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was baptised remains in place, as does the family pew where she worshipped with her parents. In her autobiography, Christie fondly recalled Sunday visits with her father, Frederick Miller, describing the joy she found in worship.

Reflecting on the occasion, vicar Fr Peter March said: “It is as intriguing as one of Agatha’s mysteries to think of her being baptised here, growing up in worship, and later becoming one of the most beloved writers in the world. What a privilege for the church to hold this connection and share it with others.”

Matt Newbury, the festival’s creative director, added: “We are blessed to have such meaningful venues that bring Agatha’s story to life. All Saints Church was central to her childhood, and it is a joy to host this celebration here.”

All Saints Church remains open to visitors throughout the week, offering people the opportunity to step inside the place where Agatha Christie was baptised, worshipped, and first encountered the faith that shaped her early years.

While not explicitly a Christian author, Agatha Christie’s books reflect a Christian worldview, shaped by her lifelong membership in the Church of England. Her stories often explore themes of human corruption, moral choice, and the reality of evil. One of her most enduring characters—Miss Marple—frequently references the Bible in her investigations.