Methodist Church, Ramsbury

John Wesley preached on several occasions in Ramsbury around 1775 to 1777, addressing gatherings at Ramsbury Park Farm and in the large room at the workhouse. There was open hostility to the Methodists at first but the Edwards family at the Mill were prominent supporters and the movement became accepted. Ann Edwards bequeathed land to the Methodists in 1799 and c.1805 a chapel was buil,t behind buildings in the High Street. The movement prospered and in 1833 the chapel was enlarged and rebuilt to provide 43 free seats, 125 other seats and space for 30 people standing. In 1851 the numbers at services were recorded as 130 at morning service, 70 in the afternoon, and 169 in the evening, with 50 children at Sunday School. The chapel flourished during the 19th century but attendance declined in the early 20th century. In 1944 the Wesleyan Methodists joined with the Primitive Methodists, using the latter's chapel. The Wesleyan chapel was sold at auction for around £350 and later became the Scout Hall.

The first Primitive Methodist meeting took place under the tree in the Square in 1829 and passed without incident. However in 1830 preachers and meetings met with great hostility and some mobs of up to 200 initiated some violence. A calming influence was eventually exerted by a visiting lady preacher, with one of the chief troublemakers becoming her champion. A flint and chapel was built in 1842 on the east side of Chapel Lane. It contained 120 free seats and 140 others. In 1851 numbers at services were recorded as 70 in the morning, 160 in the afternoon, and 200 in the evening, with 20 childre at each of two sessions of the Sunday School. On many occasions the chapel was overful and, although attendances had declined a little, a new one was built in Oxford Street in 1876. The membership was 75 and 100 Sunday School children were taught at the old chapel, which became a schoolroom. In 1885 a schoolroom was built at the new chapel and the children started using it in 1886. A chapel band, later to become the Ramsbury Silver Band, was founded in 1900. Like the Congregationalists in the 19th century, the Methodists became involved with the Ramsbury Building Society. In 1942 the Primitive Methodists were joined by the remaining Wesleyans, who left their own chapel. In 1952 toilets and a kitchen were added to the schoolroom, and in 1975 both chapel and schoolroom were renovated.

The chapel is now the Ramsbury Methodist Church and is the only non-conformist church remaining in the village.