HIRE

Each summer many events are held at WOC, from poetry readings, to music residencies, concerts and exhibitions.

Some events in our programme are commissioned and publicised by the Friends of the Chapel. Other events are produced independently and booked through our hire programme. The Chapel may be hired for private events or for events which are open to the public.

You can hire Walpole Old Chapel for your special celebration and for concerts, lectures, meetings and other events. Some examples of events that the Chapel welcomes include, but are not limited to: poetry readings, literature events, concerts, plays, performances, exhibitions, residencies, workshops; classes (yoga, music, meditation), meetings and group visits. The Chapel is also available for location filming.

Walpole Old Chapel has seating for up to 180, with limited off-road free parking for 30-40 cars. There are also toilets (including for disabled) and tea/coffee making facilities available. Our friendly team of volunteers are on hand for car parking, stewarding and guiding as required.

The Chapel is available to hire and the 2023 charges are as follows:
Day hire - £150
Hour hire - £30
Services of Minister - for weddings £100, for funeral/memorial services £75
Services of Authorised Person - £60
Seasonal/Garden flowers for weddings - £50
Wedding ‘package’ - £450

General Terms and Conditions of Bookings. For more information and to discuss further please Contact us.
All profit from the hire of the Chapel goes towards its care and upkeep, and will contribute to our major fundraising campaign for its repair and restoration. 

Walpole Old Chapel remains a place of religious ceremony. It offers a beautiful setting for weddings, blessings, and celebrations, and for commemorations, memorial events and dedications. The Chapel is licensed for same sex marriages.

Walpole Old Chapel is a wonderful place to get married if you want a rural or rustic feel to your event. The space is often described as ‘intimate’, and the large windows fill it with light. The sound qualities are also excellent for spoken word, singing and small acoustic music ensembles.Details can be discussed with the minister conducting the service. 

We welcome all, including same sex couples, who would like to marry in Walpole Old Chapel.  There is ramped access to the Chapel and an accessible toilet on site. There is parking opposite for 45 cars and a standing arrangement for a coach ‘lay-over’ nearby in the village if needed. If you have a particular Minister you’d like to take your service, please talk to us before you approach them. If not, we have an excellent Congregationalist Minister who would be pleased to do so. To enhance the ‘country’ feel of the day we offer to provide seasonal wild and garden flowers in the Chapel if you would like, or to accommodate your own or your florist’s ‘dressing’.  We also offer our unique souvenir wedding certificates, designed for the Chapel by a local typographer and letter-cutter. Our stewards will help with car parking and directing your guests on the day.

We have prepared a downloadable guide to assist you with the process and would ask that you  contact us as early as possible to discuss the arrangements for your big day.

The Blessing of a couple following a Civil Marriage 
A service for the Blessing of a Civil Marriage can be held in the Chapel for a couple requesting it. This is a purely Christian religious event and has no legal significance.

Baptisms

Traditionally, a person is baptised in church by a priest or minister of the church. Technically, a person can be baptised anywhere by anyone; what counts is what those who are involved believe is happening. It is possible to hold a service of baptism in the Chapel, but all involved would need to be clear in their understanding of the meaning of what they were doing, and of its implications for the future Christian nurture of the child. Parents wishing to have their children baptised in the chapel are advised to contact the secretary.

Funerals and Memorials

We welcome those who may wish to gather to mark the passing of a loved one and we are happy to make arrangements in accordance with the wishes of the deceased’s family.