Baptist Chapel, Crockerton, Longbridge Deverill

The local Baptist William Adlams was active in this area from 1656 and Crockerton was to the Warminster area what Southwick was to the Trowbridge area. The Baptist community seems to date from 1669 and was the focus for activity in the neighbourhood. The house of William Adlams was licensed for worship in 1672, the house of Christopher Adlam in 1701, and that of Samuel Lewis in 1704. Soon after this the chapel was built. It is a simple building of coursed rubble stone, moulded stone eaves and an old tile roof. There were 200 sittings and the early pulpit and desk have been retained. The first minister, John Clark, used to walk 7 miles from Frome every Sunday to take the service. He lived until the age of 92. The 19th century saw the additions of a schoolroom and house and the church was thriving during this period. The congregation began to decrease in the 20th century, especially after the Second Wolrd War, and the chapel eventually closed in 1979.