CHIPPENHAM OLD BAPTIST CHAPEL

It is interesting to notice that, at that period, the baptismal services were always held in the River Avon. They were a truly public confession of faith. It was not until 1818 that a baptistry was built in the chapel itself. We are not told why they did this. It may have been that they met opposition from the landowners, as John Warburton encountered at neighbouring Trowbridge, or it may have been that with the growing town the waters were becoming polluted, and thus rendering them unfit for public baptisms. It is known however that, year after year, until 1818, either Paul Porter or William Clift, pastor of Westbury Leigh, whenever necessary, administered this sacred ordinance in the River Avon. 

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As public baptismal services declined, 'Old Baptist' Chapel became the place where many Churches round would baptise their candidates for Church membership. 

​It is also interesting to note that there were three offshoots from this newly fledged group of believers. Two of these were preaching stations - one at New Road, Chippenham, opened in 1850, and the other at Yatton Keynell, opened in 1835. The chapel at Yatton Keynell is still in use, although not as a Strict Baptist Chapel. 

The most striking offshoot was, however, in the formation of the Church of 'Little Zoar', Studley. This was formed when Martha Wiltshire and her husband William, who had been baptised in the River Avon by William Clift aforementioned, were given an honourable dismissal by the Church at Old Baptist Chapel in 1816. Martha had found the long journey down Derry Hill to Chippenham and then back, increasingly burdensome. She had eleven children and often, for one reason or another, they could not be a complete family worshipping at Chippenham. So the Lord gave her a deep exercise of spirit that He would provide a House of Prayer for them, which He did in 1814. The chapel was built by the fledgling congregation, on ground leased to them by the landowner, Lord Lansdowne. The descendants of Martha Wiltshire still worship with others at 'Little Zoar'. 

But to return again to 'Old Baptist' Chapel. It was not until 1825 that the first pastor was appointed. This was William Shuttleworth whose pastorate lasted until 1832. Nothing is known of this first pastor. He was succeeded by a Thomas Cawcutt from Plymouth in 1833, but in 1834 he gave the Church six months notice. A month later the Church itself terminated the pastorate, and he left with three other members. He was succeeded by Joseph Seymore, who came from Grittleton in 1835, and served until 1837, when he left to be pastor at Bradford-on-Avon. He was followed by John Fowler from Dunstable, who served from 1838 to 1840, before removing to Shrewsbury. It was in 1843 that the Church decided to use Gadsby's hymns in worship. Thomas Littleton was appointed in 1845, but like his predecessors his pastorate was of short duration as he left in 1846. His son, Ebenezer, later became pastor of Forest Fold Chapel, Crowborough, Sussex, where he laboured for very many years. 

The Church Book suggests that the Church was in an unsettled state during these years, which partly accounts for the succession of pastors. 

However, whilst all these changes were taking place, the Lord was preparing a man after His own heart to be the under-shepherd and usher in a time of prosperity which was to last for many years. This man was William Mortimer, who for seventeen years, from 1852 to 1869, laboured in the gospel at 'Old Baptist' Chapel, and that word was abundantly fulfilled: "The Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following." Not only was this a period of substantial growth in the Church but also, it seems, a spirit of unity was granted. 

Mr Mortimer was a close friend of Mr J.C. Philpot, often sharing the annual services with him at Calne Anniversary, an event which attracted many of the Lord's people year by year. His services were so often required amongst the Wiltshire churches that William Mortimer became known as the 'Bishop of Wiltshire'. 

A Sunday School must have been established by, or during, the time of Mr Mortimer's pastorate as local records state that on March 12th. 1893, when the marriage of the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra took place, a celebration was held in Chippenham. The Sunday Schools, of the various denominations, gathered in the Market Place with their teachers. It was recorded that 65 children from the Old Baptist Chapel paraded past the Mayor, who gave to each of them a new three-penny piece, whilst the Mayoress gave them a large bun. 

It appears that when Mr Mortimer died in 1869, there was an unsuccessful attempt to invite William Vine, a member of 'Zoar' Chapel, Dicker, Sussex. William Mortimer had been greatly used in Mr Vine's call to the ministry, and this probably was one of the reasons for this move. However, this invitation coincided with another one given by his own Church at 'Zoar'.

​But the Lord was not unmindful of the needs of 'Old Baptist' Chapel, as He sent them another minister of the New Testament, in Henry Hammond, who continued from 1874 to 1883. His ministry was greatly used for the edification of the Church of God, and a great measure of peace reigned during these years.

​After the death of Mr Hammond, the Church gave an invitation to Mr Charles Young, of Yeovil, Somerset, to become their pastor. Mr Young's ministry was at this time greatly used among the friends at 'Old Baptist' Chapel, and he was instrumental in several being added to the Church. However, after careful and prayerful consideration Mr Young declined, mainly on the grounds that he did not feel to have the gifts necessary for the pastoral office, which he felt were essential for the matter to prosper. What humility this dear man showed! The late Mrs Bessie Prior, a long standing member at Chippenham (who passed away in 2001), could remember him well from her childhood, and on several occasions spoke of how highly he was held in the esteem of her godly parents. 

In 1904, the Church acknowledged the Lord's goodness in maintaining a living brand of the visible church at 'Old Baptist' Chapel over the first one hundred years of their history, by holding Centenary Services on June 8th of that year. It had been intended that Charles Hemington, pastor of the 'Old Baptist' Chapel at Devizes, should take one of the services, with Mr J.K. Popham of Brighton (Editor of the Gospel Standard magazine from 1905 to 1935) taking the other two. In the event, Mr Hemington was too ill to do so. He had sustained injuries in an accident (so called) during a visit to London to fulfil an engagement at 'Gower Street Memorial' Chapel. He died as a result of the injuries in April of 1904, before the Centenary Services took place. So it was agreed that Mr Popham should take the morning and evening services, and Mr J.E. Hazelton, of London, should take the afternoon service. 

The minute in the Church Book reads: 
"The Lord, in His great goodness and mercy, having maintained His Cause of Truth in this place for 100 years, it was thought desirable to hold special services in the chapel in commemoration of it. A special Prayer Meeting was held in the morning, commencing at 10 o'clock, the chief object being to return thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for His many favours bestowed upon us in the past, and praying that a continuation of them may be granted for the future. That many more living souls may be added to the Church, so that the cause may still prosper and be maintained for many years still to come, if it were His gracious will and pleasure." 

Mr Popham (of Brighton) preached at the morning service, which commenced at 11 o'clock, taking for his text the words: "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it" (Proverbs 10:22). A separating and encouraging discourse. 

Mr Hazelton (of London) took the afternoon service, and, prior to the sermon, Mr Prewett (a member and supply minister of 'Old Baptist' Chapel) gave a short account of the history of the church from the commencement in 1804, which was very interesting. 

Mr Hazelton preached from 1 Corinthians 15:35 - "But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?" A very weighty and important subject. There was a large congregation, the chapel being quite full. 

In the evening, Mr Popham preached again, taking as his text, Hebrews 9. 27-28. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." This was a very solemn and weighty sermon. As in the afternoon, the congregation was large; the chapel not being so full for several years past. We trust that it will yet be made manifest that the Lord's blessing attended these services. We can truly say such is our sincere desire. 

It is an interesting fact to notice, that, throughout the whole of the twentieth century, apart from Mr Hazelton at the centenary, as stated earlier, it appears only three ministers took the anniversary services at 'Old Baptist' Chapel. These were Mr J.K. Popham, followed by Mr J.H. Gosden (successor to Mr Popham as Editor of the 'Gospel Standard' magazine from 1935 to 1964) from Maidstone, who was in turn followed by Mr C.A . Wood of 'Tamworth Road' Chapel, Croydon, who has laboured at our anniversary into the 21st century.

​After a gap of some 29 years since Mr Hammond’s death, Thomas Robbins, of Bath, was appointed as pastor in 1912, and served very acceptably, with many additions to the Church. But, after only five years he was called to the pastorate at 'Zion' Chapel Leicester, where he laboured for only two years before he was taken to his eternal rest. Sadly, we have been unable to glean anything substantial of his call by grace or to the ministry. 

It was during Mr Robbins' pastorate that the decision was taken to sing the hymns straight through, rather than reading them verse by verse. The original practice was followed because many of the members of the earlier congregations were not able to read. This is confirmed by the number of crosses, rather than signatures, against the names in the early Church Roll of members. By the turn of the century, however, as literacy increased, it was deemed no longer necessary to adhere to this practice. No mention is made of how this was received by the congregation. In many congregations this innovation caused major divisions. Interestingly, the singing at 'Old Baptist' Chapel has been unaccompanied by a musical instrument, for almost all of its history. It was not until the last decade of the twentieth century that an organ was introduced to accompany the singing, as no member of the congregation felt able to. Many non-conformist chapels used a flute at the time of the opening of the chapel, and it may be that, in the very early years, this was the case at Chippenham. 

The next pastor, Samuel Champion, who, again, was well esteemed, served for only five years from 1918-1923. During this time, the Church at Southport gave him a call, which he declined; however he, too, was called by the friends at Leicester, following Thomas Robbins' death. Although the Church strongly wished him to remain amongst them, eventually, like his predecessor, he went to Leicester, where he laboured for many years, before returning to Chippenham in his retirement during which time he supplied the 'Old Baptist' Chapel pulpit regularly as a supply minister. Mr and Mrs Champion never re-joined the Church here, although they were invited to do so by the members. Strangely, after the present pastor was called to the pastorate at Chippenham in 1979, it was made known to him that some members at 'Zion' Chapel Leicester had him, likewise, on their minds as an under-shepherd at that time. 

The Church at 'Old Baptist' Chapel felt a great sense of loss in the removal of two able ministers, so soon, from their midst, and it became their earnest desire that the Lord would give them a more permanent pastoral ministry. It was at this time that the Lord laid Harvey Carr, of 'Grove' Chapel, Chelsea, London, on the minds of many of the members. This resulted in a call being given and which was accepted in 1927. Mr Carr's pastorate is the longest until now in the history of the Church at 'Old Baptist' Chapel. It continued, in name, until his death in 1966. However, he spent the last six years of his life in the Bethesda Home at Tunbridge Wells. Prior to that, his senility had, for some years, made it necessary to have many supply ministers, to feed the Lord's people at 'Old Baptist' Chapel. 

The closing years of Mr Carr’s pastorate were a difficult period for the church and congregation, and called for the exercise of much prayer and patience. Several of the younger members of the congregation left at this time, but the church remained loyal to their pastor despite his many infirmities. The Church continued to pay him, as their pastor, even when he was in the Bethesda Home, right until his death, as he was never in a fit state of mind to tender his resignation. The church loved him so much for his former labours, they felt they could not dismiss him. 

Prior to his infirmities, Harvey Carr was enabled to exercise a searching, yet loving, ministry for many years. He had a most gracious spirit, and was very tender-hearted. Many of the older friends, at the time when the present pastorate began, spoke with great affection and esteem of their late pastor. 

When Mr Carr went into the Bethesda Home, the following tribute was inscribed in the Church Book: "Our pastor faithfully preached the Word of God, not shunning to declare the whole counsel of God, exhorting us to make our calling and election sure, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Church having enjoyed peace and unity during this period." 

Following the removal of Mr Carr to Tunbridge Wells, the Church had a supply ministry for nearly twenty years, until the present pastorate began in 1980. 

The above history of 'Old Baptist' Chapel is taken from 'Great is Thy Faithfulness', which was written for the 200th Anniversary of the Church in 2004.

The chapel building itself is a Grade II* listed building, details of which can be found on the Historic England website.

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