The Baptist Tabernacle lives long in the collective memory of Swindon – even by those who can’t actually remember it!
The Baptist Tabernacle was built at the top of Regent Street in 1886 and designed in a classical style of architecture by popular local architect W.H. Read. The frontage consisted of a colonnade of six massive columns, supporting a pediment of the Tuscan order. The contract for the work went to Swindon builder Mr Thomas Barrett for the sum of £5,798.
One of the four memorial foundation stones installed on November 4, 1885 was laid by Mr. Samuel Colborne. The silver trowel and wooden mallet he used were later presented to the Church. Under this stone was placed a bottle containing a copy of the Baptist Magazine and the Baptist Year Book.
During the 1930s the Baptist Tabernacle congregation mourned the loss of several of its founder members including that of Samuel Colborne.
The Baptist Tabernacle was demolished in 1978, the blame for which is always heaped upon the local authority but in this instance they were not guilty. The fabric of the building was in a perilous condition and the ever diminishing Baptist congregation were unable to maintain it.
Loss to Swindon
Death of Mr Samuel Colborne.
End of a Busy Life.
By the death of Mr Samuel Colborne, which took place at his residence, Barbary, Westlecott road, Swindon, on Saturday night, there has passed away a very old and highly esteemed resident of the town and neighbourhood.
Mr Colborne, who had reached the great age of 92 years, was ill only a short time, and passed peacefully away, the cause of death being senile decay. Mr. Colborne’s wife predeceased him 15 years ago, two years after the celebration of their golden wedding. There are no children, and no surviving relatives on Mr. Colborne’s side.
Mr Colborne entered into farming pursuits when a young man, and for many years had a large farm in the parish of Stratton St. Margaret. At one period he owned the land now known as the Hurst farm estate, which the Swindon Corporation have developed as a housing estate.
The Funeral
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon at Radnor Street Cemetery, where the service was conducted in the chapel by the Rev. E.W. Probert, Pastor of the Baptist Tabernacle, who also officiated at the graveside. Deceased was interred in the same grave as his wife, who died 15 years ago.
Mr Probert spoke of Mr Colborne’s long association with the Baptist Church and his devotedness to all good causes. He had lived a good life, and had now been called to a higher life. He was a good Christian and a good citizen.
In religious matter he was thoughtful, consistent, and helpful. In his generous support for his church he had been in his younger days accustomed to labour and spend his time for the enlightenment and food of others, and his memory will be ever fragrant in the neighbourhood of Stratton St. Margaret.
I shall not soon forget when he laid the foundation stone of a new Sunday School at Upper Stratton when in his 91st year. He spoke with the vigour of one in the fifties, and at the close of his address, many of the rank and file of adults crowded round to shake hands with him and remind him of his having ministered to them in the Sunday school in their earlier days.
Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, March 28, 1930.
Samuel Colbourne pictured top left
Images published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
Radnor Street Cemetery 