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History |
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The United Church came into existence when the congregation of The Common Close United Reformed Church amalgamated with the George Street Methodist Church on Sunday 4th September 1983.
The United Reformed Church at The Common Close, Warminster
The origin of the church at Common Close goes back to the 16th Century. The conflict between Protestant and Catholic in that era is well known and recorded. The accession of Queen Elizabeth Tudor in 1558 recognized Protestantism as the established religion. However, the subsequent Act of Uniformity imposing the Book of Common Prayer and later the enactment of the 39 Articles, caused dissent in the church. Some of the clergy desired ‘a simpler ‘purer’ ritual’ and were nicknamed ‘Puritans’ and in 1566, several ministers seceded from the Established Church.
By coincidence in that same year, a small chapel was erected at Horningsham, four miles from Warminster by Scottish Presbyterian artisans brought in to build the nearby Longleat House. These were soon joined by other dissenters from the locality, and eventually services were held alternately at Horningsham and Warminster. In the 17th Century, Parliamentary Acts curtailed the liberty of the nonconformists, who in this area then met secretly in Southleigh woods. In 1687, the Declaration of Liberty of Conscience allowed more freedom of worship and in Warminster the dissenters met in a barn situated in what is now The Avenue. In 1691, they moved to a larger building in nearby North Row, eventually building the Meeting House (now Dewey House) there in 1704. Their worship was in the Presbyterian tradition; however in 1719 the presiding minister was accused of Unitarianism, and several members left to form the Independent Church which they built in The Common Close. In 1798 that church was rebuilt at a cost of £1000, and again in 1839-40 for £2069. During the 19th Century the church flourished and schoolrooms and ancillary buildings were added. There was a Sunday School of almost 300 scholars, and many prominent townsfolk were members of the congregation
The Methodist Church in George Street, Warminster
In 1753, Methodist travelling preachers came to Warminster, and preached at The Common, probably drawn by the ill-repute of that place. Their message fell on receptive ears, and a small group was formed, in 1758 they were meeting in Pound Street, but they suffered much abuse and begged John Wesley to visit Warminster, he came on October 3rd 1758 and preached in Mr. Bowden’s Tanyard to a numerous and well-behaved congregation. (Mr. Bowden was a member of the Independent church). The Methodists continued to meet and preach in the open air despite persecution. Once a viper was thrown at the preacher. In 1770 there were fourteen members meeting in Back Street (Emwell Street). In 1773 a mob broke in and smashed the furniture, threw one member into the ditch, and fatally injured another. Meetings were then abandoned until we hear they were meeting in 1780 at Deverill Road, and then at Pound Street in 1789, where they continued until 1803, when the decision to build the chapel in Chain Street (now George Street) was made. Collections were made among other Methodist societies in the area, and with the generous support of the Warminster congregation, the chapel was opened on 24th September 1804 at a cost of £491-4-41/2 .
Improvements were made in the ensuing years, but in 1861 the chapel was rebuilt and opened on 25th April to become the building still in use today.
The United Church in George Street, Warminster
In 1976 the Foyer was added to the front of the building, the pews replaced with chairs and the schoolrooms modernised with a kitchen and toilet facilities installed.
Discussions to join with the United Reformed Church at Common Close were initiated in the 1960’s, but it was not until1983 that these came to completion with the formation of The United Church (Methodist/URC) on Sunday 4th September. At that inaugural service the Rev. Roy Wareing minister at George Street, stated – “This September begins a new era in the life of the church in George Street, for we are no longer a Methodist Church, but a United Church – Methodist and United Reformed Church Christians worshipping and working as one.” The union has proved to be happy, though it was a time of sacrifice for the URC members who left their place of worship, which was later demolished. As a United Church we have attempted to blend the practices and traditions of the two denominations.
The Rev. Fred Gilson, minister at Common Close when it was a Congregational Church in the 1940’s wrote:
‘No church can live upon the past, or exist solely upon its traditions….there is but one Gospel that can save.’
It is that Gospel that we as The United Church continue to proclaim.
Created on 2004-09-24 18:20:56 by Admin
Updated on 2004-10-05 21:42:56 by Admin
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