The Halve Strict Baptist Church, Trowbridge

In 1896 about 30 or 40 people broke away from the Zion Baptist Chapel because of personal differences with other members of the congregation. The congregation here are Strict Baptists who continue the doctrine of the early 17th century congregation at Southwick. They opened a chapel in Hayward's Courtyard in The Halve, behind an 18th century house that was refronted in Victorian times (pictured here). At this time the Strict Baptists were mostly cloth workers and their employers. The chapel is now the only Strict Baptist one left in the Trowbridge area, the next nearest one being at Broughton Gifford.