Adddress

Union Chapel
Church Road
Combe Down
Bath
BA2 5JJ
The History‎ > ‎

Notes of key dates

Pre 1814 - Room in the Dial House used for prayer

1814 - Land lease bought for £30 Deed signed by William Jay of Argyle Chapel and Rev Paul Porter of Somerset Street Chapel

1815 - Chapel built and opened 'for public worship by Protestant Dissenters from the Church of England, and as a school-house'

1828 - Chapel graveyard was opened providing a place of Christian burial for non-conformists- 201 burials

(1834/5 - Holy Trinity Church built)

1850 - Mr T Annely became the first Minister at Chapel, Chapel becoming separate from Argyle Chapel during his ministry.

1855 - Permission was given to celebrate the Lord's Supper

1877 - new Trustees appointed

1880 - Chapel extended, current pews and pulpit installed, organ removed from gallery to front of Chapel, new seats obtained (?for school) and a modern hot-water heating apparatus replaced the old stove. Stained glass window also added, and possibly a proper ceiling rather than just a roof.

1897 - High front wall replaced by dwarf walls, pillars and railings

1903 - Mothers meeting started (now the Monday Meeting)

1905 - A very successful Children's Band was running at this time

1909 - School rooms extended

1916 - Last burial in graveyard

1922 - There was a mysterious scandal involving the pastor and a visiting lady evangelist. As far as we know some members left Chapel. There is a gap in the minutes until March

1923 - When a new diaconate took office

1926 - Mr Huntley resigned as organist at Chapel because Sankey Hymns were to be used every Sunday evening!

1930 - There was a dispute between the Pastor and the deacons - eventually the Pastor, Mr Shrewsbury was asked to leave and the decision was upheld by the local Judge at Bath County Court. Chapel may have been closed by the court and re-opened later by a new diaconate

1932 - Mr Tucker became the Pastor and was largely responsible for drawing up new Church rules

1939-45 - Chapel used during the war by the school and the Red Cross

1947 - Mr Tucker became ill and Rev.E Martin took on the role of Pastor until 1948

1957 - New school room built. Young people's fellowship started

1971 - Baptistry added in memory of Pastor Tucker and pipe organ removed

1978 - Overhaul of the roof, chapel decorated and new lighting installed

1980 - Manse purchased

1983 - First Chapel minibus purchased

1986 - Extension to manse, new boiler and renovations to the upper school Room

1988 - Piano for Chapel bought, and various renovations in the new and upper school rooms took place

1989 - The Pastor, John Raynes was tragically killed in a car accident on Pennyquick Hill

1995 - Major refurbishment of Chapel - final cost; £23,000