Congregational Church, Common Close, Warminster

This originated in the dissatisfaction of some members of the Old Meeting with the teachings of the minister, Samuel Bates. He offended the Butler family and John Butler certified a barn (to the rear of the premises of bell founder, Richard Lott) in Common Close in 1709. Further impetus was given to the New Meeting by another secession of members from the Old in 1719, when they were also joined by some families in the town who had previously worshipped at the Independent Church at Horningsham. The congregation built a meeting house in Common Close, which was licensed early in 1720. Some prosperous families, including the Adlams, Aldridges and Baylys, joined the meeting.In the latter part of the 18th century a Sunday school was started and a chapel was built in the village of Sutton Veny. 1794 saw the arrival of Edward Jackson, a powerful preacher, who attracted large numbers for whom the chapel was too small and in 1798 it was pulled down, except for the front wall, and rebuilt. Services had also been held in a house on the Common from c.1790 and a chapel and girls' school were built there, in Bread Street, in 1802. In the early 19th century chapels were also built in the villages of Heytesbury, Hindon and Codford St. Mary.

This was a time of great expansion, which was part of a national religious revival, and by 1829 the congregation was 900 with a further 150 at Bread Street. In 1836 schoolrooms were built and in 1839 the chapel was rebuilt. In 1862 classrooms and a vestry were added to the north side of the chapel; by now the church had become Congregationalist. In the latter part of the 19th century stained glass windows and several memorial tablets had been added. The congregation dwindled in the 20th century and in 1973 this became the United Reform Church, and on 4th September 1983 the URC amalgated with the Methodists to become the United Church. The Methodist chapel in George Street was used and the Congregational chapel and school were demolished in 1987 and Kyngeston Court built on the site.