Baptist Chapel, Coombe Bissett

In 1836 a cottage in the occupation of John Turner was classed as Baptist. Philip John Saffrey of Bodenham was listed as the Baptist minister.
A minute book from the Coombe Bissett Baptist Church, 1893-1896 contains details of the building of a new chapel in 1894. By 1893 the search had begun for a new site. Prospective plots included allotment land, but some felt it was too close to Homington Chapel and not near enough to Coombe Bissett. Other suggestions were Mr Flower or Mr Blake’s land either on a piece of his orchard on the Bishopstone Road or a nearby piece of meadow on the same road but adjoining his farm buildings. The siting of the chapel proved to be highly controversial, with endless discussions resulting in the resignation of Mr Goodere. The site chosen was the allotment site. In 1893 there was a discussion about purchasing new seats for the chapel; they had looked at Lockerley and Harcourt Chapel, both of whom had seats for sale.

Mr A. C. Bothams was to be the architect and Messrs. Phillips and Son of Salisbury the Builders. There would be seating for 120 people and it was hoped a schoolroom would be added at a later date. Lord Folkestone M.P was asked to perform the foundation stone laying duty on October 31st but it was performed by lady Folkestone as her husband was unwell. It was stated during the ceremony that the present Lord Radnor and his predecessors had been very sympathetic towards the non-conformist community, many of whom were ‘radicals’. It was noted that in the 1840s the poor man who had opened up his cottage for preaching but had to suspend it due to the ‘antipathy to the Free Church’. In 1892 a Mr Rose allowed the reading room he had erected to be used for Sunday services. The room became overcrowded and Lord Radnor offered to help by providing the land. The chapel was of red brick with wood mullioned windows in a 15th century style.

Opening services were held on Wednesday, February 13th, 1895 with a sermon by the Rev. S. Newman.