The [former] Baptist Chapel, Green End, Whitchurch Baptists were meeting in the town as early as 1778, but a Baptist church was not officially formed until 1808. After meeting in a "small & very incommodious" place in Jarratts Yard, they bought a former malt kiln in Green End and fitted it up in a "very plain and neat manner" at a cost of £500, which was licensed at the county quarter sessions in July 1813. It officially opened in January 1814. Then a new chapel (with a burial ground at the back) in Green End was opened on 20th October 1824. It was described in 1851 as being set back a little from the road, with an interior "neatly pewed and provided with a gallery" and as being "respectably attended". In the 1851 Religious Census it was reported to have seating for 350 worshippers, and had an attendance of 46 at their morning & 93 at their evening services, together with 58 and 64 Sunday scholars at the morning & afternoon services. The chapel was improved and enlarged during the following years. After one such renovation the chapel reopened on 23 May 1854. Later a grand new façade was built which extended the building at the front, probably in 1889. The Baptist Handbook of 1889 records that the schoolroom had been enlarged at a cost of £200 and it is known that there was a schoolroom above the new entrance lobby. The congregation gradually declined in the 20th century & the chapel closed in 1939. It was then used for various purposes & is now an antiques emporium. For a view of the inscription above the doorway, click here. Grid ref: SJ 542415

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