Baptist Chapel, Rushall
Dissenter activity in Rushall was primarily that of General Baptists. In 1716 a certificate was granted to a John Tyler, a Baptist, for a meeting to be held in his house. It is suggested that c.1706 a General Baptist meeting was already being held in the parish (i.e. of Baptists adhering to the belief that Christ died for the atonement of all people and not only of the elect). This activity may have derived from the activities of General Baptists in Marlborough. The main protagonists of the Baptist faith in Rushall appear to be Tyler, and Anne Wormstall “alias Tyler”. In 1743 the latter conveyed to trustees an orchard which lay opposite her house in the north of the village at the bend of the road eastwards toward Marlborough. With the orchard she conveyed the income gained from 57 acres held in Amesbury. The purpose of the trust thus established was to establish a chapel and burial ground together with a house and stipend for a minister. It appears that the minister’s house was not built but in her will of 1761 Anne Wormstall bequeathed her own house for the use of ministers. This will was not proved but in 1778 her heirs conveyed the house to the trustees in fulfilment of her wishes.
Another meeting house certificate which may, or not, be associated with the Baptist congregation was granted on 15 September 1823; this referred to an “inhabited tenement in possession of William White”.
Another meeting house certificate which may, or not, be associated with the Baptist congregation was granted on 15 September 1823; this referred to an “inhabited tenement in possession of William White”.
Census Sunday in 1851 saw congregations of only 27, 28 and 14 worshippers at the morning, afternoon and evening services respectively. The chapel had accommodation for 100.
By the early 1860s difficulties, primarily financial, led to the house being leased and the lessee caring for the chapel building. The chapel was now served by minsters from Trowbridge and in 1887 the General Baptist Assembly assumed responsibility and members of the Conigre Chapel in Trowbridge were appointed as trustees and served as ministers until 1913. From this date until 1956, however, it was served by one minister only, G.H. Wordsell. The chapel closed in 1973 and a dwelling now stands on its site.
By the early 1860s difficulties, primarily financial, led to the house being leased and the lessee caring for the chapel building. The chapel was now served by minsters from Trowbridge and in 1887 the General Baptist Assembly assumed responsibility and members of the Conigre Chapel in Trowbridge were appointed as trustees and served as ministers until 1913. From this date until 1956, however, it was served by one minister only, G.H. Wordsell. The chapel closed in 1973 and a dwelling now stands on its site.