PERMISSION to demolish the Baptist Tabernacle in Regent Street was granted by the old Thamesdown Borough Council in January of 1978.

By that time, the building had been empty for six months.

Church authorities decided that the likely cost of renovating the Victorian building couldn’t be justified, and that pressing ahead with what would become the Central Church was preferable.

The first religious service had been held on Wednesday, October 26, 1886, and the last two were held in the morning and early evening of Sunday, July 3, 1977.

A commemorative booklet and order of service, priced at 50p, was issued to mark the occasion. A copy survives in the Swindon Advertiser archives.

The Tabernacle’s final pastors, Ruth and John Matthews, wrote in the preface: “The whole value of history is that it is like a family album of photographs – it tells you where you have come from.

“As you read this booklet you will remember some of the events and people that are pictured in its words.

“As you remember you will be reminded that these are your roots and that will give you courage in facing whatever future God has in store for you.”

The main part of the booklet was written by Sheila and David Pope, and the narrative begins with the first footholds of the Baptist faith in Swindon in the 1830s.

Numbers grew steadily over the ensuing decades.

Sheila and David Pope wrote: “In June 1885 a large site was purchased in Regent Street on the Rolleston Estate for £474.

“This site was part of a green field with farm buildings nearby.

“Plans were drawn up for the new building in a Classic style of architecture. It was to be built of Bath Stone and the front was to have six missive columns supporting a pediment.

“The chapel was to be 74 feet by 48 feet six inches with the schoolroom 67 feet 5 inches by 30 feet two inches.

“The contract was given to Mr Thomas Barrett of Swindon for £5,798.”

There is fold-out line drawing of the Tabernacle’s north west balcony as well as an interior photograph showing the pipe organ and pulpit.

Another photograph shows the fondly-remembered exterior.

The Bath stone frontage survives, albeit in pieces, having been bought by Swindon Borough Council from a private owner some years ago for possible use in a future town centre development.

The final hymn sung at the final service was from the Baptist Hymn Book and began: “’Forward’ is our watchword.”