Jarman, History of Bridgwater, Chapter 32, Nonconformist and other Places of Worship.
Extracts from Jarman Chapter 32:
THE BAPTIST CHAPEL
NEXT in point of antiquity after the Established Church come the Baptists, and although so widely severed in opinions today, the two sects were nevertheless closely allied in our borough in earlier times. The exact period when the Baptists settled in the town cannot be traced, but it may be regarded as certain that it was somewhere in the sixteenth century. In 1655 they were of sufficient importance to be considered worthy the honour of entertaining the brethren of the Western Association of Baptist Churches.
FRIENDS’ MEETING
Bridgwater appears to have been one of the cradles of Quakerism, for there were Quakers in and around the town even in the days of Fox himself. Mr. John Anderdon, a Bridgwater Quaker, was thrown into Ilchester gaol on account of his faith, was fettered to a felon with iron chains, and with others dragged through the streets.
Christ Church is the more common appellation by which this place of worship is known. The old English Presbyterian Church is a monument of the former Puritanism of Bridgwater and its neighbourhood, and took its part in the stirring times alluded to above.
In 1793 a small Independent congregation gathered, in Roper’s-lane, now Albert-street. The population of the town was, at that time, only about 3,000, and there existed as places of worship the Parish Church, the Friends’ Meeting House, the Baptist, Wesleyan, and Unitarian Churches, those of the Baptists and Wesleyans being much smaller than the present buildings.
Externally the Wesleyan Chapel is a very spacious edifice, with its commanding frontage to King-street, and its depth along Dampiet-street, the minister’s house also adjoining. The outer walls are of red brick, with a portico entrance, comprising three arches supported on slight shafts. The original was built in 1816, and it was raised and enlarged in 1860, rendered necessary by the growth of the cause in the town
BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHAPEL
In or about the year 1865, James Puduer and others, who had been members of the Bible Christians elsewhere, felt that something should be done in the cause in Bridgwater; and services were commenced in Mr. Puduer’s own house, and subsequently an iron Chapel was erected on the Bath-road, and the Rev. John Jeffrey became the first regularly-appointed pastor. He succeeded in laying the foundation of a congregation, and left in the year 1868, followed by the Rev. Daniel Sturgess, who remained until 1869. The Rev. Richard Orchard was next appointed, and during his time St. John’s Cottage (now the minister’s residence) was purchased, also the land upon which the Chapel now stands.
METHODIST FREE CHURCH
It was not until this hope had for ever vanished that the Bridgwater branch of the United Methodist Free Church was established, in or about the year 1851, in the dome of the Market-house, where they continued to conduct Divine service for about twelve months. From thence they removed to a building in Gloucester-place, at the top of Albert- street, a locality sacred to Bridgwater Nonconformity. The building in which the old pioneers of the United Methodists met to worship God has long been used as a warehouse or furniture store. After spending three years in this now dilapidated ruin, the congregation removed to their new chapel in St. Mary-street, where as we write they still worship.
This Chapel, situated in St. John-street, was opened for worship in the year 1837. The late Mr. Peach was the original mover and was mainly instrumental in bringing about its construction.
CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH
A branch of this Church, which still exists, seems to have been first established in Bridgwater about half a century since, and was doubtless an outcome of the Tractarian movement.
PLYMOUTH BRETHREN
Their first meeting-place was a room in Gloucester-place, which has been referred to in our remarks on the Free Methodists. The next place of meeting was in a room above a stable in Friarn-street and then they removed to their present public room in the same street.
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Previous to the year 1846 the Catholics of Bridgwater had to attend the Chapel of the Holy Name, at Cannington.
SALVATION ARMY
This organization commenced operations in Bridgwater about the latter end of 1880, by Captain Tom Crocker.
Jarman Chapter 32. For burials of these congregations, also see the website of the Friends of the Wembdon Road Cemetery.