The Front of The Little Chapel, Whitchurch on Winchester Street, Hampshire. February 2023
The Chapel was built in 1875 at the bottom of the garden owned by a man called John Hide.
The Hide family were one of the pre-eminent families in Whitchurch from the mid 1850s.
John built the Chapel for use as a private Strict (Particular) Baptist chapel. He conducted services there for forty years.
The Hide family occupied the front pews of the chapel with the Barnett family, the only other Strict Baptists in the Town, seated behind them.
John Hide was a local shopkeeper and draper, who settled in Whitchurch, Hampshire during the 1860’s.
He first traded in Newbury Street, then he moved is drapery business to the town square in 1870.
John Hide won the contract to supply boots and heavy working garments to Irish navvies who had descended on Whitchurch in the early 1880’s to build the Didcot to Southampton railway. By 1887 John had accumulated sufficient funds to purchase the Whitchurch Silk Mill (for his second son James) and to expand the successful town centre stores.
Thomas Burberry, the founder of the famous fashion house was born at Brockham Green near Dorking in Surrey, and was educated at Brockham Green Village School.
In 1850 Thomas Burberry was beginning his career in the textile trade as an apprentice in a draper’s shop in Horsham.
At some point, perhaps their shared profession in the drapery trade John Hide met and became lifelong friends with Thomas Burberry.
The two men became brothers-in-law following their respective marriages to the Newman sisters.
Thomas Burberry stood surety on John Hide’s new drapery premises on the Square and it is thought that it was Burberry who encouraged John Hide to purchase the Silk Mill for his second son, James. James then went on to weave the silk linings for Burberry.
Thomas Burberry died in April 1926 and is buried in the Holy Ghost Cemetary in Basingstoke.
Photo of Thomas Burberry’s Grave which is located in the Holy Ghost Cemetary in Basingstoke.
Photo thought to be of James Hide
The chapel closed in 1959 following the death of James Hide. It was later used as the headquarters of the Hants 178 Detachment of the British Red Cross Society. Finally, in more recent times it has been used as an antique shop, photographic studio and a Dolls House.
Hydes Baptist Chapel in Winchester Street, Whitchurch, Hampshire
The Chapel used by The Tog Box
The Chapel used by the British Red Cross Society
Photos kindly provided by Mike Payne from Whitchurch History Society
Friday 11-5
Saturday 11-5
Sunday 11-5
The Little Chapel
6 Winchester Street,
Whitchurch
RG28 7AL
Make sure you follow us on Instagram to get information about opening hours and a sneak peek at new stock.
the little chapel
6 Winchester Street
Whitchurch
Hampshire
RG28 7AL
Whitchurch is located 13 miles South of Newbury and 12 miles North of Winchester.
The Little Chapel is located on Winchester Street, just a short walk from the Silk Mill. If you are heading towards the centre of town, the little chapel is on the left hand side of the road.
The Town Hall Can Be Seen From The Heart Of Whitchurch
Whitchurch is well worth a visit. It is a lovely town on the famous River Test, and the gateway to the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
If you are visiting Whitchurch, make sure you visit us at The Little Chapel, (check opening times beforehand here on our Website) and in addition you can pay a visit to the famous Silk Mill, grab a warm Coffee and Cake at Kudos Coffee, and stretch your legs on a walk alongside the river on the Mill Trail.
Find out more reasons to visit Whitchurch
The Little Chapel, 6 Winchester Street, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7AL
© All Interactive Ltd, Company Number 06607598,
VAT Number 900 5804 57