|||
  • Home
  • THINGS TO DO
    • HERITAGE
      • TEWKESBURY ABBEY
      • TEWKESBURY TOWN MUSEUM
      • TEWKESBURY HERITAGE CENTRE
      • THE JOHN MOORE MUSEUM
      • THE OLD BAPTIST CHAPEL & COURT
      • HERITAGE & ALLEYWAYS TRAIL
      • THE BATTLE TRAIL
      • THE ARRIVALL
    • LEISURE
      • THE ROSES THEATRE
      • TEWKESBURY NATURE RESERVE
      • MARKETS
      • CYCLE ROUTES
      • TEWKESBURY RIVERSIDE & COUNTRY WALKS
      • TEWKESBURY FISHING
      • TEWKESBURY LEISURE CENTRE
      • TEWKESBURY RIVER TRIPS AND FERRY BOAT SERVICE
      • GUIDED WALKS OF TEWKESBURY
      • SHERDONS ADVENTURE GOLF
    • SHOP
  • WHAT'S ON
    • TEWKESBURY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL
    • SHOWBOROUGH HOUSE SCULPTURE GARDEN
    • CLASSIC VEHICLE FESTIVAL
    • TEWKESBURY BATTLEFIELD GUIDED WALKS
    • GUIDED HISTORY & HERITAGE WALKS OF TEWKESBURY
    • APP FEST UK
    • THE KINGFISHER TRAIL, COTSWOLDS 2021
    • HAPPERLEY FAMILY FOOD FEST
    • ELEPHANT FAMILY AT SUDELEY CASTLE
    • 550TH ANNIVERSARY WALK TEWKESBURY BATTLEFIELD
  • STAY
    • HOTELS & LODGES
    • B&B, GUESTHOUSES & FARM STAYS
    • SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION
    • CAMPING & CARAVAN SITES
    • MOORINGS
  • EAT & DRINK
    • RESTAURANTS
    • TEA ROOMS & CAFES
    • PUBS
    • TAKEAWAYS
  • Home
  • SHOP
  • EXPLORE
  • INFORMATION
    • HISTORY OF TEWKESBURY
    • RIVERS OF TEWKESBURY
    • ACCESSIBILITY
    • THE WIDER AREA
  • HERITAGE
  • CONTACT
    You are here:
  • Homepage |
  • Things To Do |
  • Heritage |
  • The Old Baptist Chapel & Court

Heritage

The Old Baptist Chapel & Court

tewkesbury heritage logo

A house turned into a chapel

18th century life preserved

A house turned into a chapel

This extraordinary building has a rich history of both domestic and religious use. It started life in the 15th century as a medieval hall house, with a fire in the middle of the building and the family sleeping on one of the two galleries upstairs.

In 1623 it is believed that Baptists began meeting in the building, initially in secret, making it one of the oldest in existence. The building was 'modernised' in the 18th century to make it more suitable for its use as a place of worship.  A pastor’s room was added along with a vaulted ceiling, tall glazed windows and a baptistery.

After 1805, when a larger chapel was opened in the town, the building was separated into two cottages with a reduced chapel between them. In the 1970s, the building was restored to its 1720 appearance by Tewkesbury Borough Council. The John Moore Museum took over the management in 2012 and thanks to a further grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the chapel has been further improved as an important heritage building and community space.

Along from the chapel is a 17th century burial ground (managed by Tewkesbury Borough Council) in which can be found some of William Shakespeare’s descendants. 

Opening times: 1 April – end of Oct, Tuesdays & Saturdays; Nov to end of March, most Saturdays. All other times via appointment with the John Moore Museum 

Phone:  01684 297174 

www.johnmooremuseum.org

 

www.johnmooremuseum.org

The number of Tewkesbury's buildings listed as being of special architectural or historical interest totals more than

350

Tewkesbury has two big anniversaries in 2021; 900 years since the consecration of the Abbey and 550 years since the Battle of Tewkesbury. The town will have plenty to celebrate

2021

30 alleyways exist in Tewkesbury today - there were once

90

Heritage

The Old Baptist Chapel & Court

More Things to Do

The Arrivall

The Arrivall sculptures commemorate the Battle of Tewkesbury in stunning art form; a striking entrance to the town.

Read more

Heritage & Alleyways Trail

With so much history to explore in Tewkesbury, the Heritage & Alleyways Trail gives you the ideal opportunity to get a great geographical perspective on foot.

Read more

Tewkesbury Heritage & Visitor Centre

The Heritage & Visitor Centre is a great place to start your visit to Tewkesbury. Learn a little about the town's history and use the visitor centre to help plan your trip.

Read more

Tewkesbury Town Museum

Once the home of a prominent local resident in the 17th century, the Town Museum has a diverse collection capturing the story of Tewkesbury's past.

Read more

Tewkesbury Abbey

Tewkesbury Abbey has been at the centre of the town's history for centuries and continues to play an important spiritual and secular role today.

Read more

The John Moore Museum

The John Moore Museum is a nature lovers' dream; the perfect opportunity to learn more about the wildlife of Gloucestershire.

Read more

the battle trail

Tewkesbury's history is bound up with one day in May more than 500 years ago. A trail follows the route of the Yorkist and Lancastrian armies as they prepared to do battle.

Read more

About Tewkesbury

  • Tourist Information Centre
  • Map
  • Places to Stay

Accommodation

  • Hotel
  • B&B
  • Self Catering
  • Camping & Caravan Sites
  • Moorings

I’m looking for

  • Places to Stay
  • Things to Do
  • Shopping

Where to Eat & Drink

  • Restaurants
  • Tea Rooms & Cafes
  • Pubs
  • Takeaways

Designed and built in Tewkesbury by Mosaique Creative and Marketing