Providence Baptist Chapel, Colerne
Houses were licensed for non-conformist worship in the parish from 1690 and eventually, in 1824, the Congregational chapel was built. From the early days several of the members had strong Baptist leanings and by 1855 the majority of them had received adult baptism in a local river. Because of this the chapel deacons were ordered to give up the keys by the congregational Union, but refused. The case went to the High Court of Chancery in 1863 who found against the chapel whose members had to pay costs of £200. In 1866 the majority of the members left the chapel and met in a barn at Ragge Farm. In 1867 they obtained a site in the main street for £115; the foundation stone was laid on 9th May and in November the Providence Strict Baptist Chapel was opened by the renowned John Warburton of Trowbridge.
The chapel was well attended and also had a successful Sunday School until the late 1920s. At first adult baptisms were in the open air, firstly at Long Dean, then Widdenham and finally West Kington. The last one recorded was in 1932; after that baptisms took place in other Baptist chapels. Until 1976 the chapel was served by visiting preachers and the only resident pastor was here between 1976 and 1984. After he left a majority group of the congregation became the Colerne Christian Fellowship and, as they were not worshipping according to the original trust deed, they vacated the building in 1986. The chapel is now (2003) empty.
The chapel was well attended and also had a successful Sunday School until the late 1920s. At first adult baptisms were in the open air, firstly at Long Dean, then Widdenham and finally West Kington. The last one recorded was in 1932; after that baptisms took place in other Baptist chapels. Until 1976 the chapel was served by visiting preachers and the only resident pastor was here between 1976 and 1984. After he left a majority group of the congregation became the Colerne Christian Fellowship and, as they were not worshipping according to the original trust deed, they vacated the building in 1986. The chapel is now (2003) empty.