An Exeter church has become the first in Devon to be approved to hold civil partnerships.
It is thought be the only one to apply.
Southernhay United Reformed Church can now perform a civil partnership ceremony for same sex couples.
And its vicar, the Reverend Iain McDonald, said he personally hoped it would soon opt to conduct full marriage ceremonies for couples of the same sex.
He said: "This is a first step. The law now allows churches to conduct marriages of same-sex couples and I personally hope that, in due course, the United Reformed Church will come to a decision that will allow local churches to hold these too."
Speaking of his decision to hold civil partnerships at the landmark Exeter church, he said: "We believe that the love of two people for one another is to be acknowledged, cherished and celebrated.
"We are therefore delighted that our application has been successful and that we are now a venue where civil partnerships may be registered - the first and, so far, the only church in Devon where such ceremonies may happen."
He added: "Southernhay Church has for some time been committed to a policy of openness to all regardless of race, colour, age, gender identity, sexuality or state of health.
"This is an intentional policy, that is the church members have discussed and thought through the implications and have arrived at a decision together.
"We also declare ourselves to be 'progressive' which means we are open to new insights, whether they come from modern scholarship about the Bible and the origins of humanity or indeed from other religions and traditions as well as scientific research."
Southernhay Church is one of the best known and most iconic in the city.
Rev McDonald added: "The foundation document of the United Reformed Church states that the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments is the highest authority for what we believe and do.
"Crucially this does not mean that the Bible is the Word of God. Indeed the New Testament itself describes Jesus as the 'Word made flesh' and so it is first and foremost his example we seek to find within the pages of the Bible.
"The Bible is surely the work of human imagination and creativity which, we believe, contains divine wisdom and it is our calling to engage with it to seek the Word of God for our time."
