Calne Free Church, Church Street, Calne
For more than 30 years, up until 1865, Calne had an evangelical vicar, the Rev. Canon Guthrie. His successor, the Rev. Duncan offered a high church ministry that some members of the congregation found unacceptable. Some 80 or more parishioners, led by members of the Harris family, left the parish church. At first they held services in the town hall, by permission of the mayor, which was licensed for worship. On October 29th 1867 the foundation stone for a new church was laid and this opened on July 28th 1868. It is built in the Geometic style and the architect was W.J. Stent.
Before the Church was completed a schoolroom had been built behind the church and this was opened on January 7th 1868. The new church had between 200 and 300 members. At first the Anglican liturgy was used but this changed to services on more nonconformist lines. In the 1940s there were some non-liturgical services and in the 1950s the liturgy was abondoned. The church has an evangelical ministry. In 1930 the school was closed and it became the church hall. The interior was renovated in 1966-7.
Before the Church was completed a schoolroom had been built behind the church and this was opened on January 7th 1868. The new church had between 200 and 300 members. At first the Anglican liturgy was used but this changed to services on more nonconformist lines. In the 1940s there were some non-liturgical services and in the 1950s the liturgy was abondoned. The church has an evangelical ministry. In 1930 the school was closed and it became the church hall. The interior was renovated in 1966-7.