History
The following is a brief history of The Early Years prepared for our Centenary Celebrations at Easter 2001.
Introduction
There has been a nonconformist, independent, ‘Chapel’ in Durrington for over 100 years, but just how long is not too clear. The land was purchased for the building of a Congregational Church in 1901; but a Church had been forming long before that and had been meeting in a building near to the present church building. Details are not always clear and much information is missing. Some of the details found from different sources appear contradictory.
The following account gives some idea of how the work in Durrington developed from Revival at Bulford and continued through the early 1900s.
What is sure is that God has blessed the ministry and witness for over 100 years and we take the opportunity to give Him the Praise and Glory.
There have been ‘lows’ and times of revival and strength. Many have met with God here and have gone out to minister and serve in other places.
DURRINGTON village, adjacent to the prehistoric settlement of Durrington Walls, is entered in the Domesday Book showing a population of 7 families in 1086. The 1676 census gives a figures of 9 non-conformist adults in the village, by the year 2000 there were about 1,800 homes and a population of 7,000.
In 1805 the Rev. Francis William Dury was invited to preach the Gospel in Bulford and for the spiritual benefit of the surrounding villages, particularly Durrington and Amesbury. The first Congregational Chapel at Bulford was opened on 30th July 1806 with 7 members, including Pastor Dury.
In December 1821 a Diocesan Dissenters Meeting House Certificate was issued for a House in Durrington, owned by Isabelle Collier. On 25th August 1824 a certificate was granted for ‘a newly erected Meeting-house’, the property of Sarah Blatch of Ratfyn, Amesbury. This appears to be the old Congregational Chapel situated in College Lane (now Glebe Road) Durrington, about opposite our present building.
In May 1816 Thomas Farly of Durrington became a member of Bulford Chapel, followed in 1822 by his wife. In October 1828 Charles Fowler of Durrington was admitted and during 1839 Mary Ann and James Ranger also became members. During this time it appears that the Durrington Meeting-house was regarded as an outstation of the Bulford Chapel. Further residents of Durrington were accepted into membership at Bulford during the years.
In April 1905 the work by builder Mr Burden was in hand and was completed for the Church to be opened on Wednesday 6th September. The total cost coming to a total of £1,150.
In 1907 the minutes show that the military paid a sum towards the Pastors’ stipend so that he could also work as a Chaplain to the forces in the nearby camp.
On 3rd September 1905 Durrington Hall first opened with a sermon preached by Mr Pinder. September 6th was chosen for the Formal Public Opening of the Hall. ‘Unfortunately a very rough wet morning. The public tea in the afternoon was well attended.’
The Manse bungalow, adjoining the Chapel site was built in 1963 and was first occupied by Pastor and Mrs Dixon.
The Membership decided in 1965 not to covenant with the newly formed United Reformed Church, an amalgamation of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches; instead joining An Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches.
Continuing the traditional stand of Bible based evangelical Congregationalism. In 1985 entering into fellowship with the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches.
A fuller history is available on request to the Secretary.
Acknowledgements
Information has been gathered from many sources. Our thanks are expressed to Mrs Doris Cooper who undertook most of the research and to our friends at Bulford Independent Church for access to their records. Thanks are also due to the Wiltshire County Council Archives Office for access to the minutes of the Wilts and East Somerset Congregational Union. Thanks are due to management and colleagues at MCS Ltd for technical help and encouragement in preparing the book The Early Years. Many thanks to Darren Hull for the design and construction of this website.