Old Baptist Chapel

The Old Baptist Chapel, located in Chippenham, dates to approximately 1834, with a later 19th-century wing added to the right side. The facade is constructed from squared and coursed limestone rubble, featuring ashlar quoins and dressings. The rear is of rubblestone, the right return is of stretcher-bond brick, and the roof is hipped and covered in slate.

The building has a rectangular plan with a lower, lean-to wing to the right, concealed behind an ashlar parapet. Originally symmetrical in design, the front features a 3-window arrangement. The original building has 6-over-6-pane sash windows with painted ashlar surrounds. Steps with wrought-iron handrails lead to a high curved rubblestone plinth and a late 19th or early 20th-century pair of 6-panel doors, one in the centre and one to the far right of the right wing, each with a shallow overlight and a substantial hood supported by brackets. Exposed sawn-off joists on the first floor of the right return, along with the stretcher bond brickwork, suggest a former interior wall. The rear elevation has tall, semicircular-arched surrounds to two 6/6-pane sash windows. The right return showcases two 6/6-pane sash windows on the first floor, and two smaller 20th-century windows high in the ground floor.

The interior is largely complete, with only the pews and some joinery having been replaced in the late 19th century. Most woodwork is grained, and likely original. A canted, panelled pulpit is located at the rear, with steps on the right side featuring turned balusters and a newel. Behind the pulpit is a rectangular wooden sounding panel with console shoulders. A panelled gallery sweeps up to the rear wall, supported by two cylindrical cast-iron columns and similar square columns to the rear. The extended gallery in the lean-to wing is supported by a cast-iron column. A central entrance features a circa 1834 half-glazed door, while gallery stairs with stick balusters lead to a late 19th-century 4-panel door at the top. Stairs in the right wing also have stick balusters and a 6-panel door at the top. A circular ventilation rose with a moulded surround is located in the ceiling. Commemorative panels include one dedicated to William Mortimer, the first pastor, who died in 1869.

The Baptist community has maintained a presence in Chapel Lane since 1804. This chapel is a notable and substantially complete example of an early 19th-century Baptist place of worship.