Independent Chapel, Urchfont

In 1775 Independents registered a house in Urchfont belonging to Charles Giddings; another belonging to John Hadrill was registered in 1777. A house occupied by Mrs Sarah Giddings was registered in 1797. They were later described as 'Lady Huntingdon's Methodists'. In 1817 a newly built Chapel certified by the Urchfont Independents appeared. It was shared with the Baptists. In 1827 a schoolroom was added and in 1886 the Plymouth Brethren also shared the chapel. The building was of red brick and situated on the east side of Chapel Lane. A charity for the chapel's maintenance was founded in 1896. In 1817 it held accommodation for 291 people and in 1851 was well attended. It was mainly served by lay preachers from Devizes and sometimes open air services were held on the Green. In the first part of the 20th century it also ran a Sunday school. The Sunday school gave summer outings to Weymouth, Swanage and Bournemouth, and Christmas parties. There were also trips to the Edington tea gardens, an annual sports and prize giving day. The chapel was closed and sold c.1968 and demolished in 1971.