Matthews Hall is fast approaching its Centenary. The foundation Stone was laid in 1927!
Throughout 2027 Topsham Community Association will be organising events and activities to celebrate 100 years of Matthews Hall.
We will be keeping you posted in the run up to the celebrations. In the meantime here is a brief history of the building and how it has served the community of Topsham over the years…
Origins & Construction (1927–1928)
• James Woodrow Matthews generously donated £5,000 in 1927 to fund the construction of the hall, with the land purchased using a £2,000 loan from the Ministry of Health .
• The architectural design came from Boddy & Dempster, and Henry Gould & Sons were the builders .
• The foundation stone was laid on 26 January 1927, and the hall officially opened on 15 February 1928, with Matthews using a commemorative silver key to open it. That evening, a grand concert and dinner was held for the Parish Council .
• A time capsule—Lionel Gould’s cocoa tin filled with photographs, coins, and newspapers—was secretly placed under the eaves during construction .
Architectural Details & Civic Functions
• The hall is a red-brick, two-storey building featuring a small wooden balcony above the entrance .
• The balcony served as the Council Chamber, where elected officials would announce election results, and where Carnival Queens would deliver public addresses .
• It was—and remains—Topsham’s communal hub, hosting travelling theater troupes, dances, local society meetings, and more .
Cinema Era: Rex & Tivoli (1930s–1960)
• From its inception, Henry Gould envisioned the hall as also serving as a cinema. He installed projection equipment and a projection box, moving gear from his earlier venue, the Cosy Cinema .
• In 1931, a Morrison sound system was installed, and the first “talkie” shown was Palmy Days, starring Eddie Cantor .
• By 1939, it was renamed Rex Cinema, managed by A.G. Curtis .
• After WWII, it transformed into the Tivoli Cinema with a British Thompson-Houston (BTH) sound system and even featured a 15.5-foot widescreen under Wing Commander A.R. Buere’s ownership in the early 1950s. The cinema ultimately closed in 1960 .
Though no longer a Cinema as such, Matthews Hall now boasts a state-of-the-art digital Cinematic projection and sound system as a means of bringing nationally acclaimed plays to the local community. The high definition quality projector also enables Audio-visual presentations of the highest standards for the many talks and events held at the Hall.
Wartime & Community Use
• During World War II, Matthews Hall served as a center for ARP (Air Raid Precautions) training, First Aid courses, and gas mask drills. It also hosted dances for Royal Marines and U.S. forces stationed in the area .
Into the Community Era: 1960s–Present
• In the 1960s, the Topsham Community Association (TCA) was formed with dual aims: to serve the community of Topsham and to establish a community centre—these aims still guide the Association today .
• TCA currently holds the lease on Matthews Hall and funds its operations through hall hire, a vibrant Saturday Market, and café rentals .
• Today, Matthews Hall supports a wide variety of local clubs and activities—badminton, drama, art, film viewings, dancing, mindfulness workshops—and hosts a café that’s open most days .
• The Saturday Market (8:30 am–1 pm) remains a lively fixture, offering local produce, arts, crafts, plants, and more .
• Additional services include the café offering light meals, vegan-friendly options, and free Wi-Fi
Legacy & Significance
Matthews Hall stands as nearly a century-old emblem of civic generosity, architectural charm, and community spirit. From its ceremonial opening in 1928 through its cinema heyday, wartime service, and modern incarnation as a multipurpose cultural hub—its story is deeply woven into the fabric of Topsham life.
