The Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, Exeter.
During James II's reign, a "Mass House" was opened in Exeter, but in 1688 this was flattened to the ground. After 1745, Mass was said in an upper back room of King John's Tavern, in South Street. From Christmas 1775 part of "St. Nicholas" mansion was rented and a large upper chamber transformed into a Chapel. Later, the premises were purchased and a proper chapel built. On Epiphany Sunday 1792, the first Mass was offered in the new chapel, in the Mint, close to the remains of the pre-Reformation priory of St. Nicholas.
The present Church of the Sacred Heart is built on the site of the famous Bear Tavern, the former town house of the Abbots of Tavistock, which was leased out as an inn. The foundation stone for the Church was laid by Bishop Vaughan in 1883. The solemn opening took place on November 18th 1884, on the feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Ss. Peter and Paul. The inside walls are of varied stone from Poccombe quarries with Bath stone dressing. The columns up the aisles are of Portland stone with brown Poccombe stone above. The stained glass windows down the side of the north aisle were installed to commemorate the golden jubilee of the church's opening; they show the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the inspiration of St. Mary Magdalene to stimulate devotion to it amongst Catholics. The last one shows St. Nicholas giving alms to needy people, and is a link between this church and the old Mint church opposite St. Nicholas Priory.
The Catholic Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Exeter.
The Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury was built in 1930 to serve parishioners living in the St. Thomas area of Exeter. The Church was closed in 2002.