Congregational Church, Marlborough
The founder of the Independent or Presbyterian church in the town was William Hughes (died 1688) who had been ejected from the Vicarage of St. Mary's, Marlborough, for his beliefs in 1662. They first met in Savernake Forest and then in the town. Preaching often took place in the open air. In 1681 the inhabitants of Marlborough were considered a 'seditious, schismatical people'. After the death of Hughes preaching was continued by others and in 1706 the congregation built a meeting house, although they later met in other buildings, including a leased chapel in Herd street and another in Back Lane. Cornelius Winter, the minister from 1778-88, re-organized the church on Congregational principles and also established a school to train young men for the ministry.
They were left without a home in 1802 when the Back Lane chapel closed and did not have a permanent home until 1817 when they built a chapel in the Marsh. They were well supported in the mid 19th century and later, in 1861, added a schoolroom and lecture room to the chapel. They became the United Reformed Church in 1972, when the Congregationalists joined with the Presbyterians, and from 1979 were served by the minister from the New Road Methodist Church. The chapel was closed in 1984 and the congregation moved to the Methodist Church.
They were left without a home in 1802 when the Back Lane chapel closed and did not have a permanent home until 1817 when they built a chapel in the Marsh. They were well supported in the mid 19th century and later, in 1861, added a schoolroom and lecture room to the chapel. They became the United Reformed Church in 1972, when the Congregationalists joined with the Presbyterians, and from 1979 were served by the minister from the New Road Methodist Church. The chapel was closed in 1984 and the congregation moved to the Methodist Church.