St Peter’s Church, Tiverton

attractions

food & drink

Ducks Ditty Bar

historic churches

Tiverton Baptist Church

United Reformed Church

waterways

There has been a church on the site of St Peter's for over a thousand years. Not only does the church display impressive architecture—described by art historian Nikolaus Pevsner as 'a gorgeously ostentatious display of civic pride'—but it also plays an important role within the Tiverton community.

The historical standing of the Elizabethan Greenway Chapel within the town played a major part in the allocation of a Grade I listing to St Peter's Church. The chapel—named after local merchant Sir John Greenway—has some the finest carvings of any parish church in England. In 1517 Greenway funded the elegantly carved south porch and a new south chapel. The tower and chancel date to the 15th century.

The first stone church was consecrated in 1073 but it's thought a place of worship existed on the site in the late Saxon period.

St Peter's Church was restored in 1825–1829 by G.A. Boyce and again in 1853–1856 by Edward Ashworth, the West Country's leading ecclesiastical architect.

The church organ was built by Christian Smith in 1696 and has been modified several times over the centuries. St Peter's was the location for the first performance of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" in 1847. The carved cherubs near the base of the organ pipes are particularly noteworthy.

St Peter's main service of the week is Holy Communion at 10:15am on Sundays. A service of Holy Communion following the format of the Book of Common Prayer takes place at 8:00am on the first Sunday of each month.

Address

St Peter’s Church, St Peter Street, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6RP

Historic Categorisations and Statutes

Statutory Heritage Listing

Grade: I (Grade One). This indicates it is a building of "exceptional interest." It is the highest level of protection, reserved for the most significant historic sites in England.
List Entry Number: 1384949
Date First Listed: February 12, 1952
Significance: The church is protected for its remarkable medieval fabric, most notably the Greenway Chapel and South Porch (1517). These features are famous for their lavish stone carvings depicting ships and wool-trade symbols, reflecting the wealth of the merchant John Greenway.

Local Designations

Civic Role: St Peter’s is the primary civic church for Tiverton, serving as the site for major town ceremonies including Mayor’s Sunday and Remembrance Day.
Conservation Area: The building is a cornerstone of the Tiverton Conservation Area. Its 99-foot tower is a dominant landmark that defines the northern skyline of the town centre, adjacent to Tiverton Castle.

Site Components & Heritage Records

The Greenway Chapel: A 16th-century addition with a renowned fan-vaulted ceiling and intricate exterior friezes.
Norman Doorway: A surviving 12th-century doorway in the north wall, originally the entrance for the Earls of Devon from the neighbouring castle.
Newte Library: A rare parochial library bequeathed in 1716, housed within the church.
Historic Environment Record (HER): It is indexed in the Devon & Dartmoor HER under ID MDV1369.

Chronology of Historic Uses

1073: Consecration of the first stone church on the site by Leofric, Bishop of Exeter.
15th Century: Major rebuilding of the main structure and construction of the belfry tower.
1517: Addition of the Greenway Chapel, funded by the local wool merchant John Greenway.
1847: Notable as the location of the first performance of Mendelssohn’s "Wedding March" at a marriage ceremony.
1853–1856: Extensive Victorian restoration and enlargement by architect Edward Ashworth.
Current/Recent: The principal parish church of Tiverton and a major venue for the Two Moors Festival.

Useful Links

St Peter's Church (Opens in new window) The website offers visitors the following:

Worship & Services
Historical & Architectural Guides
Civic & Special Events
Community Outreach
Visitor Facilities
Church Hire & Music
Life Events
News & Calendar

Facebook: St Peter's Church - Tiverton (Opens in new window) Provides visitors with a social and timely window into the parish's life, featuring regular updates on upcoming services, seasonal festivals, and community concerts held within its historic walls. Through a mix of event announcements, photographs of church activities, and shared reflections, the page keeps the local community informed about outreach programs like the Breakfast Club and craft groups while offering a digital space for interaction and prayer requests. It acts as a more casual, real-time supplement to the main church website, highlighting the active daily life and fellowship of the congregation.