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Ebenezer Chapel, Silver Street, Malmesbury
Photograph © David Forward 04/05/06
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Ebenezer Chapel, Silver Street, Malmesbury
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.
Source: Wiltshire Community History
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The Independent Church was formed in 1796 when services were held in a cottage in Berry's Entry, High Street (now No. 43). The premises were too small and two cottages for sale in Silver Street were converted into a Meeting House. The church united with Westport Presbyterians during the pastorage of Rev. Edwards who took up his post in 1812. The Chapel was sold and used for trade. In 1814 and again in 1825 Primitive Methodists from Sherston hired the building for a short time. This group received rough treatment from the locals who regarded them as 'ranters' who had no right to be treated with civility. Soon afterwards the Baptists moved in and held services here for over 10 years.
The Independent's union with the Presbyterians, although flourishing at first, failed to prosper as not all the congregation had consented to it. In 1841 Friends of the Old Independent took over the building. The premises were enlarged in 1848. More work was carried out in 1885 including the removal of the old pews and the installation of bench seating for 300 at a cost of £300. An adjacent cottage to the south was converted into two classrooms. In 1914 there was no settled minister and it was again proposed to reunite with Westport Congregationalists. The deacons resisted this and for a time it would seem that the church prospered as the building was refurbished during the late 1920s. At this time Sydney Adye of the High Street grocers was the treasurer. It was not until December 1952 that finally the two churches permanently united. The building has been used as the Masonic Lodge since 1958.
Source: Charles Vernon
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