252 Bradford-upon-Avon. | Grove Meeting-House. 
Wiltshire is already rich in relics of our British forefathers. For- 
tified by the opinions of many well qualified to speak authoritatively 
on the matter, we can have little hesitation in pronouncing this 
building to have been a Saxon Church, of which indeed, as far as 
we know, it is, in its completeness, a unique specimen; and thus 
our County is also able to boast of remains, which, though some- 
what less ancient than British, will hardly be deemed less precious. 
Tue Grove Meerrrinc-Hovst.! 
This is the oldest Non-conformist place of worship in the town 
of Bradford. It is situated at the east end of what is called Middle 
Rank, and on the slope of the hill behind the house formerly occupied 
by the Methuen family. We have quoted in a previous page (52), 
Aubrey’s description of ‘the side of the high hill, facing the south, 
above Mr. Paul Methwin’s house,’ which, in his time, was covered 
with elder-trees. Hence the name of,—the ‘ Grove’ Meeting-House 
or Chapel. 
There is something singularly picturesque in the present appear- 
ance of this structure. From long disuse it is fast hastening to 
decay. Its mullioned casement windows are now nearly hidden 
by luxuriant ivy-tresses, which enshroud the greater part of the 
building. It bears on its front an air of antique respectability, 
and is a fair type of the places of worship that sprung up quickly 
after the passing of the Toleration Act at the close of the seven- 
teenth century, for the use of the Presbyterian and Independent 
Non-conformists. 
The date of the erection of this Chapel, which was built for the 
use of those who inclined to Presbyterianism,—amongst whom, at 
one time, were numbered some of the principal inhabitants of the 
town and neighbourhood,—was about a.p. 1698.? It is believed 
that it owed its origin to the efforts of some of the Clergy, who, 
1T have to thank Mr. J. Jeffery, of Bath, for much of the information con- 
cerning the ‘Grove Meeting-House.’ W. 4H. J. 
2 By a deed dated January 2, 1698, Anthony Methuen conveyed the ground, 
on which the ‘Grove Meeting’ was shortly afterwards erected, to Francis Yer- 
bury, the elder, of Ashley, Francis Yerbury, the younger, of Bradford, William 
Chandler, of Bradford, and Thomas Bush, of Bradford. 
