The old chapel

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 1 Jul 2014

Located in Silver Street, this former chapel has an interesting past. Quoting from the Wiltshire Council history site: 'In 1792 a cottage was certified for Independent meetings and the Church was formed in 1796. At first services were held in a cottage near the present King's Walk but it was too small and before 1800 they acquired two cottages in Silver Street, which they converted into the Ebenezer chapel. Many of the congregation united with the Westport Presbyterians after 1812 and this movement flourished at first but did not ultimately prosper. Some were opposed to the merger and in 1841, as the friends of the Old Independent Church, they took over the Silver Street building. This was enlarged or rebuilt in 1848 and again called the Ebenezer chapel. New seating was installed in 1885, providing accommodation for 300, and an adjacent cottage was acquired to provide two classrooms. In 1914 there was no settled minister and a union with the Westport Congregationalists was suggested but was resisted by the deacons. Instead the church prospered alone and the building was refurbished in the late 1920s. In 1952 the Independents were formally united with the Westport Congregational Church and moved to their building in St. Mary's Street. The chapel in Silver Street was used as a masonic lodge from 1958.' See Image] for the inscribed stonework.

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