Bath Road Methodist Church

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 4 Sep 2014

The Wesleyan congregation of Swindon were rapidly running out of space in the 1800s, so it was agreed to build a new church on the Bath Road. Joseph Armstrong, W.V. Edward and P.H. Mason donated some of the land, with an additional piece of ground bought for £540. Architects Bromilow & Chears of Liverpool were engaged to draw up the plans and Thomas Barrett, a loyal member of the church and who was renowned for building Blunsdon Abbey in 1864, was contracted to carry out the construction. On 16 April 1879, the foundation stone was laid, with a time-capsule, and a tea for 500 people was held in The Corn Exchange. The total cost amounted to £5,631, a lot of which was funded by subscriptions. The official opening took place at 3 p.m. on Whit Monday, 17 May 1880; dedication services and special events lasted for 23 days. After a century of worship, the church fabric was in great need of attention; indeed, it was in danger of needing demolition. But after much fund-raising the church was saved and reopened on 3rd December, 1984

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