The Watford Observer is again delighted to team up with its friends at Watford Museum to look at some structures or objects from the town’s past that have either disappeared or been relocated. Today we look back 400 years to when a church was first built in what is now the ring road.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “Beechen Grove Baptist chapel was built as the end of Meeting Alley in 1721, the congregation having worshipped in a house from 1707.

“The chapel was extended in 1809 and I believe this watercolour shows how it looked at this time.

Watford Observer: The wording beneath the watercolour of the chapelThe wording beneath the watercolour of the chapel (Image: Watford Museum)

“The chapel was rebuilt in 1835 and this building, presumably with further additions, was used as a Sunday School until 1963.

Watford Observer: Beechen Grove Baptist Sunday SchoolBeechen Grove Baptist Sunday School (Image: Watford Museum)

“The current Beechen Grove church was built on a new site in Clarendon Road in 1877.”

Watford Observer: An Ordnance Survey map from 1914 showing the location of the current church and the Sunday SchoolAn Ordnance Survey map from 1914 showing the location of the current church and the Sunday School (Image: Watford Museum)

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.