The Parish of St Edmunds stretched from the ancient bridge, across Exe Island and Bonhay, almost to Head Weir with its north western boundary under the walls of Exeter. The population of St Edmunds in 1801 was 918, which increased considerably during the 19th Century as industrialisation spread across the area.

The church was damaged by fire in 1969. The traffic scheme of the 1960's and 70's that created Western Way required the demolition of many properties in the area - the partially demolished church was reprieved when the remains of the old Exe bridge were discovered and excavated by archaeologists during 1975. However, the demolition had already been extensive and only part of the church tower remains, perched on the mediaeval bridge.