Swindon historian wants to see iconic Tabernacle Portico back into use
The monument was built in 1886
A keen local historian says she hopes to see something started on bringing the old Tabernacle Portico stones back into use.
The LDRS reported last week that the stones of the chapels magnificent frontage are owned by Swindon Borough Council and in storage at Waterside Park waste and recycling centre – and both the council and campaigners are trying to come up with a good use for them.
Swindon- born-and-bred Jean Allen, now 90, is the former secretary of the Swindon Society – and she remembers the portico well when it stood at Regent Circus.
She said: “I used to walk past it, and think what it would be like to get married there.”
But it wasn’t her hope to get married at the chapel she was expressing. Jean explained: “There was a terrible problem with pigeons there. They were all over it and they made it look really bad with their mess.
“The minister was quite a controversial man – he complained, he said he and the team had to spend 20 minutes cleaning the steps before a service, otherwise the congregation would tread in the pigeon droppings all over the floor.”
'Would like to see work on the stones begin before I go'
Since the chapel was demolished the portico stones have been stored in a number of locations. As secretary of the Swindon Society in the first decade of this century, Jean wrote about them in the society’s newsletter at least twice.
In 2003 she wrote to the developers of what is now Wichelstowe suggesting they be used. She said: “I wanted to make the Swindon Southern Development Area know the stones were available – but nothing came of it.
“Then there was a thought about putting it in front of a shopping mall. But we probably don’t need another shopping mall in Swindon at the moment.
“I think it would be good to have it used as an entrance to something. In the Swindon Society it was a building that we’d often hear people mention when they were reminiscing.
“I would like to see work on getting something done with the stones begin before I go.”
'Important piece of Swindon’s heritage'
Councillor David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “We have tried to use the stones from the former Baptist Tabernacle in various regeneration schemes for well over a decade but we have not been able to find a suitable project for them.
“However, we are still looking for an appropriate solution which will allow us to incorporate this important piece of Swindon’s heritage in the town’s future.”