Colerne Evangelical Church, Colerne

The Church meets in the former Congregational chapel, the history of which is as follows. The extent of non-conformist beliefs over a long period of time is shown by the registration of ordinary houses for Independent worship in 1690 (Joan Hooke), 1695 (Samuel Ford), 1719 (barn of Mary Jones, then in the possession of Thomas Coleman), 1745 (Simon Baker), 1797 (Mary Knight) and 1799 (Thomas Bethel).The earlier meetings were neither strong enough nor wealthy enough to build a chapel but those of the late 18th century may have resulted in the building of the Congregational Chapel in 1824. From early in the life of the meeting there were strong Baptist leanings among some members and by 1855 the majority of members had received adult baptism in a local river. Because of this the deacons were ordered to give up the keys of the chapel by the Congregational Union but refused and the matter went to the High Court of Chancery in 1863. They found against the Baptists, who had to give up the chapel keys and pay £200 costs. In 1866 the majority of the members left the chapel and met, as Baptists, in a barn.

The Congregationalists re-established their articles of faith in 1867. In the chapel rules it stated that there was free burial for Congregationalists in the burying ground but that others had to pay sixpence (2.5p). However in 1870 there was a rapprochement with the Baptists who were allowed to use the burial ground, athough the attending minister had to be agreed with the Congregationalists. The chapel was renovated in 1924 and gas lighting was installed in 1933. From 1932 until 1970 the chapel had its longest serving minister, Pastor H.L. Matthews of Biddestone.

After 1970 the members left the Wiltshire and Somerset Congregational Union and administered the trusteeship of the chapel themselves. In 1974 they became the Colerne Evangelical Church. In 1983 the church decided to build its own baptistry and the work was carried out by members with the first baptism in 1984.