Originally founded in 1660 as Tiverton Independent Chapel, St Peter Street, the chapel was rebuilt in 1831 and became Tiverton Congregational Chapel during the mid-twentieth century. On October 5, 1972, it became the United Reformed Church.
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The United Reformed Church building, built in 1831, is now The Oak Room, a café, art gallery, and wedding venue. It is a Grade-II listed building in a conservation area, located on the west side of St Peter's Street near its junction with Angel Hill, immediately east of Exe Bridge.
The chapel is part of a larger complex of church buildings comprising the former manse (a house provided for a minister), to the south at the corner of Angel Hill; the Memorial Rooms, to the north of these; and the chapel on the northernmost part of the site.
Due to falling attendance and the high cost of repairs, the congregation sold the chapel in 2012. The church community has since united with the Methodists and now meets in another historic chapel in St Peter's Street.
The main auditorium on the ground floor is a large church hall with high ceilings and an oval gallery on all sides, supported by cast iron columns. At the back of the hall is a large ornate pipe organ that is still in working order. There is a kitchen near the entrance, and two former vestries with windows to the rear that could be used for therapy or other purposes.
Stairs lead to the lower ground floor, which has a large room with feature windows and stone and brick supporting arches. This room has been used as a café and seminar room and has a fully-fitted kitchen.
Address
United Reformed Church (The Oak Room), 2c St Peter Street, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6NU
Historic Categorisations and Statutes
Statutory Heritage Listing
Grade: II (Grade Two). This indicates a building of "special interest."
List Entry Number: 1384959
Date First Listed: February 12, 1952
Significance: Protected as a significant 19th-century Nonconformist chapel (rebuilt 1831). It is noted for its grey limestone ashlar construction, Gothick-style timber details, and its preservation of the traditional "Independent" chapel layout.
Local Designations
The Steps Meeting House: Historically known as the "Steps Meeting House," the site carries deep local significance as a center for Dissenting worship in Tiverton since the mid-17th century.
Conservation Area: The building forms a vital "grey limestone group" within the Tiverton Conservation Area, standing alongside the Memorial Rooms and the Grade II* listed Chilcott School.
Site Components & Heritage Records
The Main Chapel: Features a grand 360-degree interior gallery supported on colonnades and a notable pipe organ in a pitch pine case.
The Manse & Memorial Rooms: The adjacent former minister's house and meeting rooms are also Grade II listed (List Entries 1384951 and 1384905), completing the ecclesiastical complex.
Historic Environment Record (HER): It is indexed in the Devon & Dartmoor HER under ID MDV11394.
Chronology of Historic Uses
1660: Foundation of the original "Steps Meeting House" by Theophilus Polwhele, a displaced vicar following the Act of Uniformity.
1831–1832: Complete rebuilding of the chapel in its current late-Grecian/Gothic style.
1972: Became the United Reformed Church (URC) following the merger of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches.
2012–Present: Following the congregation's move to share space with the Methodists, the building was sold and repurposed as The Oak Room, a community arts and events space.
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The Oak Room, Tiverton (Opens in new window) Offers visitors information about a unique arts and culture venue housed in a former Victorian church. Key features include:
Events Schedule
Art & Creativity
Venue Hire: Details for hiring the "Main Hall" (capacity 100) or the "Secret Garden Room" for private functions, such as weddings, parties, conferences, and community meetings.
Historical Setting: Background on the building’s heritage, featuring a large auditorium with a working Victorian pipe organ and original architectural details.
Catering & Bar
Outdoor Space: Information on the "Secret Garden," a private paved garden overlooking the River Exe, available for hire or small gatherings.
Practical Visitor Info: Essential details on opening times, parking recommendations (nearby public car parks), and a note regarding limited accessibility due to the building's historic nature.
Facebook: The Oak Room, Tiverton (Opens in new window) Serves as a vibrant social hub that provides visitors with real-time updates on upcoming live music, theater performances, and community arts events. It offers a visual look at the venue’s unique atmosphere through photos of recent shows and the "Secret Garden," while keeping followers informed about ticket releases, last-minute event changes, and local creative workshops. By highlighting its diverse schedule of jazz nights, artisan markets, and private hire possibilities, the page acts as an interactive guide for those looking to engage with Tiverton's local cultural scene.
Memorial Rooms Highlights the Tiverton War Memorial Building's history and its community rooms, which serve as a tribute to local servicemen while providing a versatile space for local events and exhibitions.
