The hall is named after Rev. Canon Corfield, Vicar of St. Mary Magdalene’s Church from 28th September 1911 to 31st December 1925, having then ‘resigned the living’ through ill health.  He died on 3rd June 1926.  He was born Claud Evelyn Lacy Corfield, on 30th January 1857, in Templecrone, Co. Donegal, Ireland, the son of the Rector of that parish.

In 1926, because of the limited room for functions and meetings, St. Mary Magdalene’s Church P.C.C. authorised the Vicar, Rev J.E.G. Sweetman and Finance committee to raise funds with a view to building a Parish Hall.  Various negotiations took place over a period, including the purchase of the then gardens at the rear of the former Conservative Club [now a Night Club], before the land where the Hall now stands was agreed on.  In 1927 The Honorable Mrs Corfield, widow of Canon Corfield, was asked if the new hall could be named The Corfield Memorial Hall, in memory of her late husband. 

In 1931 because of the grave financial state of the Nation the building of the hall, which was to include a balcony, stage, dressing rooms and kitchen, was put on hold.  However everything was on the move again in 1932, when the final decision was made for the site to be used and this was purchased from Mr. Spear for £950. The estimated building cost of a hall to seat 400 people, was £2,700. The final figure was £3,049 10s 6p.  In order to raise funds, as well as the sale of some church property, many garden parties, and whist drives were held as well as much work by the sewing guild.  The hall building bricks were sold for10/- [10 shillings/ 50p] each, it was decided that each of the organisations of the church would have its name carved in a brick, these can be seen along the wall on the opposite side of the hall to the church and include THRIFT CLUB, BROWNIES, GUIDES, DAY SCHOOLS, SUNDAY SCHOOLS, JUNIOR CHURCH, PARISH MAGAZINE, SEWING GUILD, MOTHER’S UNION, SANCTUARY GUILD, RINGERS, SERVERS, CHOIR, SIDESMEN and CHURCH COUNCIL.  Also listed in the bricks are the initials of 25 individuals.

The foundation stone [to the right of the front door], was laid on 20.9.34 by Dr Iles, the son of Mrs Jane Iles, she being unwell at the time. To the left of the front door is an almost illegible stone bearing the words ‘------ 1934 ------- ETMAN VICAR----’.  The official opening took place at 3pm on Thursday 28th February 1935, and was performed by Hon. Mrs Corfield, accompanied by Lord Bath and other dignitaries, who had lunched at The Castle Hotel.  After the opening there followed a ‘house warming’ programme with refreshments, and in the evening a Gilbert and Sullivan production.

A Caretaker was appointed at 17/6 [75p] per week, whose duties included ‘seeing that the rubbish is put out for scavengers’.

Happenings over the years at The Corfield Hall:

• In 1939, the Hall was converted into Forces Club together with the Town Hall and YMCA then in St James Street.

• 1949 saw the founding of The Taunton Drama Club here; there were 25 productions before the club closed.

• The Thespians moved here from St. Andrew’s Hall in 1950, and there were many productions here ending with ‘Move over Mrs Markham’ before they moved to the new Brewhouse Theatre.

• Johnny Morris brought his ‘Animal Magic Show’  here

• In 1959, Michael Foot addressed a CND gathering

• On 18th July 1975, Somerset Opera Group staged their first production, Dido & Aeneas and Midsummer Nights Dream Act 3 by Benjamin Britten

• In 1987, the hall was sold to The Co-operative Retail Services Ltd,

• from them Lawrences Auctioneers became tenants in 1994,

• followed by Orange Tree Interiors Ltd. in 2002.   

St. Mary Magdalene’s Church still retains a legal interest in the property.

All the above information is taken from; St. Mary Magdalene’s  Church P.C.C., Finance Committee. Social Committee Minute Books.   Canon Corfield’s autobiography written by Hon. Mrs Corfield all of which are held at Somerset Records Office, together with assistance from Mrs Jean Quick, Mr Robin Bush, and Mr John Howe.