About us

A potted history about our building!  Did you know there has been a Methodist building and presence in Rodbourne since 1884 - over 140 years - albeit looking a bit differently over the years.

Where the current car park now is, was once the original Rodbourne Methodist Church, which was quite an impressive building in the area with its huge arched and leaded stain glass windows.  The original church was built in 1884 and extended in 1906 when the Great Western Railway was in full swing.  

In 1950 the current hall was added onto the side of the church to accommodate activities for all the young people that attended.

By the year 2000, there was concern that the original building was showing its age with masonry falling from the roof edges and the stain glass windows starting the bow.  The cost to make the necessary repairs was too expensive so the difficult decision was made to demolish the church and adapt the newer hall for dual use as a church and hall.  

Work was partially funded by the sale of another Methodist Church in Swindon which was in Manchester Road.  The work on Rodbourne was completed in 2003 when there was a grand opening and rededication service.

The church continued to be used as a Methodist place of worship until 2025 when the difficult decision was made to close the church.

The North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit decided that this building was too important in the community to sell and so decided to undertake essential maintenance with a new roof to future proof the building and have it available to the local community of Rodbourne and the wider Swindon area, for community use.

The Methodist Church is planning to develop our links with the wider community over the coming months and years to launch new projects and welcome people to use our facilities to continue our 140 year relationship with this community.

Keep an eye on local social media and our notice board to see what you can join in with.