A former minister at West End Baptist Church has written a book exploring its history from 1825 to 2025.
Reverend Graham Warmington, who was minister at West End Baptist Church between 1994 and 2009, has released West End Baptist Church: 1825-2025 – The Story of its People, Life and Times.
The book tells the story of the church from 1825, when a group of 10 people started worshipping in a rented chapel in Westbury. The congregation outgrew the chapel and moved out of the old building in June 1867, holding services in what was then known as the Old Drill Hall on Edward Street.
In 1868, the congregation returned to the original site, where a new building had been constructed. This is where the church still stands today.
Graham began researching the book around eight years ago. His research included collecting personal anecdotes from both present and former members and ministers of the church. He also drew on the writings of Bob Savory, who had a regular column in the White Horse News for many years and wrote the popular book Little Lane and Beyond – A Wiltshire Boyhood in the 1920s & ‘30s.
“An awful lot of time was spent on research, both from the church’s minute books, held at Chippenham History Centre, and trawling through years of Wiltshire Times editions, plus interviews with different people, all of which were very fruitful and enjoyable,” said Graham.
“I found that I could work for several weeks on a section of the book but then had to step away for a time, which resulted in such a lengthy process putting it together.
“Being a family of local families, featuring familiar names and locations, this is also a history of the town of Westbury. As well as recording the serious side of church history, it also covers much of the non-serious side of church life throughout its existence.”
A book launch took place during the church’s 200th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday 18th November.
Copies are available to order on Amazon and Waterstones for £20 per copy. Alternatively, they can be purchased directly through the church for £15.
Pictured: Reverend Graham Warmington with his new book
