George Whitefield preached in Bridgwater in 1738 and was doused by the town fire engine. John Wesley visited the Bridgwater eight times between 1746 and 1789. On his first visit he anticipated that there would be a riot, but the hearers were orderly. He preached on at least six occasions. He commented on his visit 8 September 1769 that preaching had been discontinued for many years.

Wesleyan Methodists

A Society existed in Bridgwater by1753, meeting in a cottage in Eastover. When enough funds had been raised, a small chapel was built nearby. In 1816 the trustees bought a site and opened a chapel seating 400 people, and a Sunday school was started. In 1840 Bridgwater became a Circuit from Taunton. Around 1860 the trustees bought a house in Dampiet Street at the rear of the chapel which enabled the chapel to be enlarged to seat 650 people and there was also space to build a manse. On 2 July 1860 the foundation stone was laid and on 29 November 1860 the enlarged chapel was opened. Wesley Methodist Church closed in 1980 and merged with the Monmouth Road Methodist Church.

Bible Christians

About 1864 James Pudner and others met in James Pudner’s house. In 1866 Rev. John Jeffre (1840-1899) was appointed to Bridgwater and established a growing congregation. A few years later they worshipped in an iron chapel in Bath Road. In 1869 Rev. Richard Orchard (1840-1893) was stationed and during his ministry St John’s Cottage was purchased for use as a manse. About the same time land for a new chapel was bought. On 29 June 1876 the foundation stone for a new chapel was laid in Polden Street. The chapel with seats for 230 people was opened on Thursday 9 November 1876.

Wesleyan Reformers and UMFC

A Society was established in Bridgwater in 1851, meeting in the Dome of the Market House. After a year they moved to premises in Gloucester Place, Albert Street. In 1854 the Rev. Dudley Pennell (1822-1901) was appointed the first resident minister. They opened their chapel in St Mary Street in 1854. In 1857 the church became the Bridgwater United Methodist Free Church. After three years and with a growing congregation it became necessary to assess the future of the building. In August 1857 a public meeting was held which was chaired by Rev. William Smith. The proposal was to enlarged the chapel with seating for around 700 people. The Mayor offered the Town Hall for worship services during the building of the extension. The reopening was on Tuesday 1 December 1857. In 1908 Rev. John Wilson (1839-1902) and the trustees arranged for plans to be drawn for a school hall to be built in front of the St Mary Street chapel. The scheme became unsustainable and so they proposed to build a new chapel in Church Street. At the same time the Bible Christians were contemplating building a new chapel in Monmouth Street next to their chapel in Polden Street. With the union of the Bible Christians, Methodist New Connexion and United Methodist Free Church connexions being contemplated both schemes were postponed. The United Methodist Free Church vacated their St Mary Street chapel in December 1906 and in January rented a room in the YMCA. On 28 January 1909 the Society began to worship in the Bible Christian Church, Polden Street. A meeting of the elected laymen and ministers of the Bible Christian and United Methodist Free Church met on 18 December 1907 and agreed to purchase a site in Monmouth Street for Bridgwater United Methodist Church.

United Methodist Church

The foundation stones for the new school were laid on the Monmouth Street site on 26 April 1910 and for the new church on 29 July 1910. The church was opened on 6 April 1911.

Primitive Methodists

Following a successful Mission in Glastonbury in 1845, Mr Powell was invited by Messrs Wyburn and Lusty to Bridgwater. The first service was held in the cottage of Mrs Mansfield. Later the Society worshiped and held Sunday school sessions in a large rented room. Around 1860 the Society built a chapel in West Street. In 1980 the Society merged with the Monmouth Street Society.

Methodist Church

By 1980 all the Methodist Churches in Bridgwater were consolidated into one church and met in the Monmouth Street Church. In 2001 the church was transformed, turning the chapel and schoolrooms into a centre for church and community.

Entry written by: DHR
Category: Place
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