United Reformed Church, Wootton Bassett
It was recorded that there were eight Independents in Wootton Bassett in 1676 but it was not until 1779 that the house of William Armon was licensed for Independent worship. In 1797 a meeting house on the south side of Wood Street, lately in the occupation of a gardener called George Tegle was licensed with John Bartholomew mentioned as the minister. The Congregationalists did not have many members in the first quarter of the 19th century but in 1825 the six members decided to build a new chapel. This was opened in October 1825 and called the Hephzibah Chapel. The new chapel proved an attraction and by 1837 there were 30 members.
In 1862 land was bought from Lord Clarendon and a schoolroom, infants' classroom and vestry were added to the chapel. Two more classrooms were added in 1870 and the Congregationalists flourished in the second half of the century. The Sunday School enjoyed school treats and outings, there was a Mission band and open air services were held in out lying areas. In 1936 the chapel was renovated and electric lighting was installed. Declining numbers in the 1960s meant that one minister was serving both the Wootton Bassett and Swindon chapels but in the early 1970s the Congregationalits joined with the Presbyterians to create the United Reformed Church.
In 1862 land was bought from Lord Clarendon and a schoolroom, infants' classroom and vestry were added to the chapel. Two more classrooms were added in 1870 and the Congregationalists flourished in the second half of the century. The Sunday School enjoyed school treats and outings, there was a Mission band and open air services were held in out lying areas. In 1936 the chapel was renovated and electric lighting was installed. Declining numbers in the 1960s meant that one minister was serving both the Wootton Bassett and Swindon chapels but in the early 1970s the Congregationalits joined with the Presbyterians to create the United Reformed Church.