Welcome to Exeter Temple Corps
The Salvation Army in Exeter commenced over 140 years ago and opened its newly refurbished building on Saturday 1st June 2024. The Salvation Army invites everyone to come along to our worship meetings and see the impact it is making on the city of Exeter.
The Salvation Army in Exeter exists to please God and make Jesus known
The Salvation Army works with some of the most vulnerable people in society. As we face the worst public health crisis in our lifetime, people on the margins need us now more than ever.
From providing community meals and checking up on people who live alone, to offering counselling and supporting those searching for employment The Salvation Army is responding to the crisis in dozens of different ways.
Please click on the QR code button and donate what you can. Help us support as many people as possible.
If you would like to help the Salvation Army to continue its work in the city of Exeter please make a donation using the checkout above.
Please note that this amount can be changed to make a donation of your choice.
Where we are
Friars Gate
Exeter
EX2 4AZ
United Kingdom
Email address:
exeter.temple@salvationarmy.org.uk
Phone:
01392 216 553
Charity shop/donation centre:
01392 458140
Major Carl Di-Palma
Corps Leader
Major Elizabeth Di-Palma
Corps Leader
Major David Coates
Corps Sergeant Major
50.7191829, -3.5292915
Sunday morning worship 9.40am Prayer meeting in the main worship hall. You are welcome to join at any time.
10.30am Morning worship. We are currently looking at the period of Advent,
Our meetings will be led by Majors Carl and Elizabeth followed by Coffee Fellowship in the Coffee Lounge at the rear of the Worship hall.
Community meals served from 1pm from our community hall in Lucky Lane
Over Easter 2025 we participated in several types of worship together. Maundy Thursday - a Passover meal. Good Friday- the Via Dolorosa. In our Easter morning service we reflected on the events of Good Friday followed by an Open Air service on the Quay.
Welcome bags were given to the children alongside Kids Alive magazines and War Crys for the adults.
The Celebration Chorus was set up a number of years ago to encourage others to be part of special celebrations at the Corps.
This year the Celebration Chorus has participated at Easter, Pentecost and in the Harvest and Christmas celebrations.
Uniform is not required but a willingness to come along and sing. We do ask that you attend all rehearsals prior to the event
Majors Carl and Elizabeth Di Palma moved to Exeter and were fully welcomed into the Corps in July.
Some of their work will require them to work at DHQ as part of their leadership.
Please keep them in your prayers, as they undertake their ministry in Exeter.
in July 2025
The Salvation Army will again be collecting toys to be distributed to families in need this Christmas.
We will also be holding a Carol Service where there will be a collection to Support the local hospice. Details to follow.
Questions of Our Times
ON Tuesday lunchtimes throughout November, Major Nigel Bovey will be hosting Season 5 of the Christian Evidence Society's popular ‘Questions of Our Times’ conversations live on Premier Christian Radio. The one-hour shows commences at 1.00pm and include opportunity for listeners to call or text with their questions to my guests.
The theme of this year’s conversations to is ‘Bringing Light into Darkness’.
In the first episode of the season (4 Nov), Nigel will be talking with Matt Arnold, a Christian parapsychologist, about psychic phenomena, the paranormal and ghosts.
He then turns to the Rev Dr Helen Paynter, (11 Nov), to discuss the extent to which the Bible promotes violence.
In the third episode (18 Nov), BBC Reith lecturer, Dr Gwen Adshead – one of the UK’s leading forensic psychiatrists and psychotherapists – considers the question :‘Is there such a thing as evil?
In his final conversation (25 Nov), Nigel will be talking with author and stem-cell transplant recipient, Dr Claire Gilbert, about living with cancer and what constitutes a ‘good death’.
The conversations will be streamed live on the Premier and Christian Evidence Society’s Facebook pages and will be on YouTube after the event www.youtube.com/evidence4faith
November
16th (Sun) 12.30pm Open air on the Quay
20th (Thurs) 10.30am M&S High Street
December
1st (Mon) 6.45pm St James Park for University Carol Service
6th (Sat) 10.30am High Street Carolling (near Boots)
10th (Wed) 10.00 – 11.00am Cathedral Christmas Market, outside West Front
11th (Thu) 6.00pm Dene Court, 1 Wonford Street EX2 5HU
7.30pm Pym Court, Bewick Avenue, Topsham EX3 0LX
13th (Sat) 10.30am High Street Carolling (near Boots)
14th (Sun) 1.00pm Carols on the Quay
15th (Mon) 6.00pm 45 Rosebank Crescent EX4 6EH
7,30pm Pinnoc Mews, Bakers Way, Pinhoe EX4 8GB
17th (Wed) 7.00pm Newton Poppleford Parish Church EX10 0EG
18th (Thu) at 8.45am St Leonards School EX2 4NQ
20th (Sat) at 10.30am High Street Carolling (near Boots)
21st (Sun) at 4.00pm Corps Carol Service
24th (Wed) at 10.30am Tesco, Russell Way EX2 7EZ
We endeavour to make links with our local community and invite groups into our hall to learn more of our mission.
Our Band has been able to support with music at St. Leonard's School and Wynstream Primary school on a number of occasions.
The children of the schools have also presented the corps with handmade cards to be part of our gift bags at Christmas and Easter for local families and for the Prison Services in the area..
Employment Plus Local
Helping people to find work and stay in work. Drop in Tuesdays 2.30pm to 4.30pm or e mail to make an appointment
ExeterEmploymentPlusLocal@SalvationArmy.org.uk
Our vision is to work with unemployed people to provide assistance on their journey into employment within a supportive environment.
During our sessions we provide:
- Computers with free internet access to help with job searching
- Access to information and guidance on training opportunities to acquire new skills or improve existing ones
- Resources and advice for applying for jobs, including help in completing job application forms, CV writing and interview techniques
- A variety of courses e.g. confidence building, employability and budgeting skills through e-learning;
- A point of reference and an address for homeless jobseekers
- Chaplaincy services on request
- A warm, relaxed atmosphere with tea, coffee and biscuits
The corps were pleased to receive the donation of a multi charger for the Employment plus group from Classroom365. See below for details.
March 2025
A huge THANK YOU to Classroom 365 for donating a secure charging cabinet to the Exeter Employment Plus Local Group.
The cabinet provides storage for our Chromebooks which are used for job searching, training courses etc, by our clients and are extremely beneficial to everyone who attends.
Photo shows Major Alan Read with volunteers Sophie, Mark and Cynthia.
The Quay services for the rest of the year have now been confirmed by the City Council. All services will commence at 12.30pm. We welcome people to come along and hand out SA Literature and Activity bags to the children.
16 November
Carols on the Quay - 14 December at 1.00pm
quay on Easter Sunday April 2025
Mondays - Parent and Toddler Group - 10.00 - 12pm in Community hall in term time
Leader: Carol Hawker
Tuesdays - Employment + Local 2.30pm in Main Hall
Leader: Major Alan Read
Band Rehearsal 8.15 - 9.30pm - in the Worship hall
Leader: Peter Woolway
Wednesdays - Parent and Toddler Group - 10.00 - 12pm in Community hall in term time
Leader: Carol Hawker - carol.hawker@salvationarmy.org.uk
Fridays - Connect - Activity group for adults of all ages 10.00 - 12.00pm. Leaders: Majors Alan and Carolyn Read, Major Sue Camp-Richards and DE Malc Camp-Richards.
Singing by Heart - The first Friday of the month during Connect and before the lunchtime meal. An opportunity to sing, have fun and a encourage a feeling of well being. Open to anyone who enjoys singing.
Leader: Communications Secretary Jane Williams
jane.williams@salvationarmy.org.uk
Friday evenings - Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers - register at www.girlguiding.org.uk Leader: Carol Hawker - carol.hawker@salvationarmy.org.uk
A public access Defibrillator is now situated at the Salvation Army Exeter Temple building on the corner of Friars’ Walk and Friars’ Gate ///wires.native.mile
The Defibrillator has been made possible with a donation from Jay’s Aim, a local charity based in Newton Abbot, who provide Defibrillators in memory of James (Jay) Osborne who died suddenly, aged just 28, from an undiagnosed inherited heart condition. They have currently provided over 200 Defibrillators and training courses across the South West.
The Defibrillator was installed as part of the Salvation Army Exeter Temple major refurbishment which is the culmination of a ten year fundraising plan to transform the building to be fit for worship and for the Salvation Army’s community work. Within a few weeks of installation the defibrillator was removed on two occasions, for use by the ambulance team in the area. However, it was not activated.
20 people met for a training session on use of the defibrillator conducted by the donating company Jay's Aim.
This group was our chosen charity for Christmas 2024
Jay's Aim will be providing another training /awareness session 8th October 2025 at 5pm.
October 8th
Imi from Jay's Aim conducted a further training and awareness session and over 20 people attended. There also followed an excellent Question and Answer session to confirm the delegates' understanding that using CPR and/or the defibrillator may help to save a life.
Leadership team
Corps Sergeant Major - Major David Coates
Corps Treasurer - Philip Jones
Bandmaster - Peter Woolway
Recruiting Sergeant - Major Margaret Bovey
Communications/Singing by Heart Leader - Jane Williams
The Corps Council comprises the above plus:
Major Alan Read - Employment + and Connect
Mrs Carol Hawker - Girl Guiding
Mrs Gilly Taylor - Corps Representative
Mrs Lyn Hancock - Employment Local + and Group Chat
Major Sue Camp-Richards - Connect and Community meals
The most recent Corps council meeting was held on "8th August and the minutes can be found in the foyer.
Singing by Heart is a singing group for adults of all ages. Singing has been medically proven to be effective in encouraging a feeling of well being. We provide an hour of singing songs of all genres. There is much laughter, fun, memories and sometimes the opportunity to use percussion!
We aim to be a dementia friendly establishment with clear signage and facilities and to befriend/support carers who come long.
UPDATE - this group will still continue to be a part of the Connect group but our activity will now place during the morning session, as an additional activity, and lunch together will follow in the community hall.
We meet on the first Friday morning of each calendar month.
Please come along and enjoy an hour of singing, laughter and memories.
Our November session will give the opportunity to learn and sing Christmas songs ready for the December session when we hold our Christmas lunch,
Further details from jane.williams@salvationarmy.org.uk
2025 dates
From the early part of 2025, our Singing by Heart group will take place during the Connect Group followed by lunch in the community hall. This is exciting news, please come along and join in.
Next SbH will be on 7th November at 11am
SbH purchased Kazoos with donations from the Utley Foundation Trust. So, introducing our Kazoo band! Such a lot of fun.
In August 2024 we made another purchase to help us learn names of our members - Printed lanyards which will be given out at the beginning of the session and collected in at the end.
May 2025 Each of the singers was given a VE Day flag to wave and many chose to wear Union flag inspired headwear.
Where we are
Unit 1 Haven Road
Exeter
EX2 8BP
United Kingdom
Email address: exeter.dc@satcol.org
If you have any unwanted clothing, shoes, handbags, jewellery, toys, electrical items or bric a brac you wish to donate then please bring them along.
Please give us a call if you have any unwanted items of furniture.
Phone: 01392 458140
There is a large car park at the rear of the building.
Please remember to Gift Aid your donations to the shop. Speak to the Manager, Sarah, or one of the staff, to get a Gift Aid card which will increase your donation to the Salvation Army.
The Gift Aided donations can be accepted at the shop at any time, even when they are unable to receive any other donations.
If you are interested in giving your time to work in the shop in a voluntary capacity please speak to Sarah the Manager.
in January 2024 we celebrated the 5th Anniversary of the opening of the Donation Centre in Haven Road. We are keen to support SatCoL and acknowledge the massive contribution which Sarah and her team continue to make, not only to the Territory, but particularly to Exeter Temple.
The manager, Sarah Ward, and her team are to be congratulated, and thanked for the valuable work they are doing.
I want to highlight our friends who work at the SA Donation Centre on Haven Banks
Briefly the way this works is that the volunteers don’t earn a wage as such, but the minimum wage they would have earned is donated to the Corps they are attached to, so since the shop opened in 2019 Majors Carolyn & Alan together with John Pope have worked weekly hours, joined later after the pandemic by Paul Luffman and, for a while, the grandson of Rose Tinworth. (Scott)
It was agreed that this was a way of contributing to the Corps Building Fund and to date I am very pleased to share with you the sum raised up to March 2024 is £46,257.33 and I am sure you would, along with me, like to thank our volunteers for all their hard work and their continuing commitment to the building fund for Exeter Temple Corps
Further to this Sarah Ward (Manager) agreed to have a donation box placed on the counter for any loose change and donations, this again has gone to helping the ET Building for the Future scheme and raised the sum of £1257.31
May God bless all who work at the donation centre and THANK YOU”. Phil Jones - Corps Treasurer
There to be three new SATCol shops in the South West at Taunton, Plymouth and Truro. The Exeter shop will be the main hub.
Each week the Community Team make meals, prepare goody bags and food parcels and between 25 and 50 meals are prepared and given out each Saturday in the early evening, and Sunday lunchtime. We continue to help, offering practical support and food parcels, and spiritual support.
Each Christmas around 250+ gift bags are prepared for local families, and in excess of 100 food parcels are packaged before Christmas. The generosity of corps folk, friends and the general public enabled this.
Those families who struggle with the provision of food for their families can be given food parcels at other times of the year
If you would like to help the Salvation Army to continue its work in the city of Exeter please make a donation using the checkout on the Welcome Page.
Please note that this can be changed to an amount of your choice.
SA literature has been distributed for many years in the pubs, and on the street, and that work still continues here in Exeter outside M&S on the High St weekly. It is a great opportunity to witness, make conversation and meet folk who love and believe in the work that The Salvation Army does not only here, but all over the country and across the world. Many folk, and other Christians, stop and make themselves known and appreciate our witness.
Once a month on the 2nd Thursday there are a number of our musicians who make up a small band and play many familiar hymn tunes which bring memories and blessing to so many that stop and listen, this you can see by the pictures attached.
The Corps has a thriving BP group of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers and they meet on a Friday evening.
Register at www.girlguiding.org.uk or contact carol.hawker@salvationarmy.org.uk
GROUP CHAT A social group commenced in October. A chance to meet and chat over a cup of tea/coffee.
The group will be providing a safe warm space to chat but also provide activities.
Further sessions will be held on the first Saturday in each month.
The group has created artwork on pebbles, made Greeting cards and undertaken knitting projects.
A second group is the MOVING FORWARD group
The Moving Forward group aimed at people in recovery, is held on the third Saturday of each month. People can find weekends particularly difficult as support services are only available Monday to Friday and weekends can be very long. We started this group in January by word of mouth and it is growing. We provide a space where people can chill and chat and feel the support of others
The Connect Club meets every Friday throughout the year. For a small charge members enjoy tea, coffee, toast, crumpets, teacakes and other goodies to eat. Once a month they will now feature a cooked two course meal served in our community hall in place of fish and chips.
Conversation is always at a premium, as are crafts and some more vigorous activities in the form of table tennis and indoor bowling
Volunteering at the Salvation Army is interesting, rewarding providing the opportunity to meet new people and gain new experiences.
If you are interested, please contact us by emailing volunteering.exeter@salvationarmy.org.uk for an application form.
Current Volunteering Opportunities:
Community Meals – Each Saturday and Sunday the Community Meals Team provide hot meals, pasties, goody bags and food parcels to those in need of assistance. All meals are given out as takeaway food. They give practical support, and also offer spiritual support by providing a listening ear to those who need to chat.
Connect - A weekly group meeting on a Friday from 10 -12 noon. Games, activities, craft, tea, coffee, cakes and chat. Volunteers are always needed to chat, play board games and serve snacks and hot drinks. Once a moth there is also a two course lunch served.
Singing by Heart - This group enables those who would not be able to join a formal choir or group to come along and enjoy singing. Some of us do need a little help with holding song sheets and feeling confident to join in percussion activities etc. It is an hour of fun and is good for the soul and the brain.
The Salvation Army Homes - Formerly SaHa providing supported housing and general needs in property across the country. We operate 3 services: Culverlands in Exeter and St Andrew’s House and St Saviour’s House in Exmouth. There is a total of 34 placements and work in partnership with Devon Partnership Trust and are commissioned by Devon County Council to provide support packages for people in recovery.
Part of the package includes offering the opportunity to participate in daily activities to help increase living skills, social confidence and general wellbeing, which can range from arts and craft groups, cooking, sport and fitness or social outings to the local town and beyond.
We would like to create a directory of people interested in volunteering who would be keen to give up an afternoon of their time to share their skills in anything from gardening to cooking on a budget to pottery, woodwork and craft skills.
For more information - info@salvationarmyhomes.org.uk
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity, working in 133 countries worldwide, that offers support, friendship and practical help to people of all ages, backgrounds and needs.
Volunteers can also use the facilities at the Employment + club on Tuesday afternoons.
KIT club, (Keep in touch) with coffee and/or breakfast at a local venue. We meet on the last Thursday of each month at the Imperial at 10ish to 12ish. This event is open to all ages. Wheelchair access.
Please contact Philip Jones. 07944389715
We look forward to seeing you there.
The opening of our refurbished building was planned for 1st June 2024 and it went ahead - on the 1st June! - despite some delays that had occurred.
Our Divisional leaders, Majors Gillian and Paul Billard, rededicated the building and visitors came from the division and across the country.
The Community hall has also now been completed and is available for Corps activities and for hiring
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Please call 01392 216553
Students who are coming to study at the University, Education or Medical Schools are very welcome to join with us. We have a small number of students who occasionally worship with us and some who enjoy meeting up at band and other rehearsals. We understand that your priorities are your studies but you are always very welcome.
There is a rota of people who are willing to host our students on a Sunday lunchtime and/or provide transport to and from the hall! Please contact the Corps office to let us know if you coming to study here.
Exeter has a large University Campus with other smaller residential areas across the city. Most of these are with in easy walking distance from the city centre but there are also good student links for public transport.
Anyone undertaking Marine training at the Lympstone Barracks is also very welcome to join us in worship.