The first regular Presbyterian congregation formed in Shrewsbury was by the Reverends John Bryan, M.A. and the learned Francis Tallents, who were ejected by the Act of Uniformity in 1662 from the livings of St. Chad’s and St. Mary’s. After experiencing the various alternations of suffering and indulgence during the unsettled reign of Charles the First, and assembling for some time in private houses, they at length built a meeting house in the High-street, in 1691. But while they separated themselves from the established church on account of her discipline, they did not renounce the leading doctrines of the gospel as preserved in that church, which is evident from the inscription set up in their new building:—

“This place was not built for a faction, or a party, but to promote repentance and faith, in communion with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

The year 1715 was particularly unfortunate for the Protestant Dissenters in this and the adjoining counties: several of their places of worship were destroyed by riotous mobs raised against the king and his government. During the violence of these insurrections, the High-street meeting house was demolished, in the night of July 6th, 1715, and the pulpit publicly burnt. Government, however, speedily caused it to be rebuilt; after which the royal arms were placed within the building.

The good and pious Job Orton preached here for several years. On his resignation in 1766, a difference of sentiment arose among the members of the congregation in the choice of a minister. The building is now used for worship by the Unitarians. It is 70 feet by 30, and fitted up in the heavy style of the last century.

THE INDEPENDENTS.

The place occupied by this denomination had its origin in consequence of the schism in the High-street congregation, and is situated in a retired area on Swan-hill. It is a substantial square edifice, with a neatly finished interior. On a stone tablet in the front is the following inscription:

“This building was erected in the year 1767, for the Public Worship of God, and in defence of the Rights of Majorities in Protestant Dissenting Congregations to choose their own Ministers.”

On the north-east side is a spacious vestry, containing portraits of the Rev. Mr. Tallents and other ejected clergymen. The space adjoining three sides of the building is used as a cemetery.

BAPTISTS.

A society of this persuasion is stated to have existed in this town in the time of the Commonwealth. The meeting house, in Claremont-street, was opened in 1780, and enlarged in 1810. It contains a monument in memory of Mr. Palmer, who was pastor of the congregation 27 years, and died in 1823.

THE SECOND BAPTISTS

Seceded from the above society in 1827, and built a place for worship in Castle Foregate, which was opened April 9, 1830. They retain, however, the doctrines of Particular or Calvinistic Baptists, as professed by the former society.

THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS

Assemble on St. John’s hill, in a building erected in 1804, and which was enlarged and decorated in 1825. Galleries surround the interior, in which is a small organ. The pulpit stands in the middle aisle.

A small building erected at Spring Gardens, Castle Foregate (by the proprietor of the land) was opened Feb. 26, 1826, in connexion with this society. The service is free, and the place is used at certain hours on the Sunday as a school.

THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION

appear to claim a mutual relationship to the founder of Methodism with the Wesleyans, and retain the doctrines, ordinances, and general discipline common to that body, from which they differ only in the form of church government and professed dissent from the Church of England. This society formed a congregation here in 1833, and in Jan. 1834, an edifice for their service was commenced near the Old Tower, Murivance, which was opened June 13 in the same year.

The exterior is handsome, having two entrances with a Doric portico to each, and is divided into three parts, viz. a centre and two wings, formed with Corinthian pilasters, frieze, and cornice; the centre terminates with a pediment, and the wings with a broken blocking and Grecian tiles. The interior is without galleries, and arranged on rather a novel plan; the middle is occupied by two rows of pews, with a row on each of the sides which ascend gradually from the floor, and thereby afford great economy of space.

Two ends of the building being flanked by dwellings, light is admitted from the side portions, but a good effect, notwithstanding, is produced from the blank walls, which display arches and plain pilasters supporting a frieze and cornice.

The ground at the back declining considerably from the street, spacious school-rooms, a vestry, and a house for the door-keeper, are formed underneath the building, which is calculated to contain 700 persons, and cost £1500.

THE WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODISTS

meet in a neat structure in Hill’s Lane, erected by a subscription on a portion of the site of a former edifice, and was opened for worship Dec. 25, 1826. The service is in the Ancient British language.

THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS

introduced themselves into this town in 1822, by preaching in the streets and suburbs. The place originally built in Castle-court, Castle-street, for the Sandemanian Baptists (a society in this town nearly extinct), was purchased for them, and they commenced service there June 4th, 1826.

THE QUAKERS

have a convenient meeting-house, fitted up with much simplicity, and neatness, on St. John’s Hill, to which a small burial ground is attached.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL

Is situated near the southern portion of the town walls. The exterior exhibits a stuccoed pedimented front, surmounted by a plain cross. The interior was enlarged in 1826, and is elegant in decoration, and calculated to contain nearly 250 persons.