There is a long and proud history of non-conformism in Hungerford.

John and Charles Wesley were Church of England priests in the 18th century. They felt called to bring the word of God to non-churchgoers and to address some of the pressing social issues of the day, matters not high on the agenda of the Established Church at that time. In due course this became a separate denomination known as the Methodist Church. John and Charles Wesley were Church of England priests in the 18th century. They felt called to bring the word of God to non-churchgoers and to address some of the pressing social issues of the day, matters not high on the agenda of the Established Church at that time. In due course this became a separate denomination known as the Methodist Church.

John Wesley died in 1791. It was in 1807 that the Wesleyan Ebenezer Chapel in Church Street was built.

The enthusiasm of the 18th Century Wesleyan Methodist reformers had waned somewhat after the death of John Wesley and by 1811 a new Church known as Primitive Methodists was formed. The split had come about over the conduct of Worship - the Wesleyans were more formal, but the Primitives often preached in the open air, often all day, and they were sometimes called "Ranters" because of their exuberance!

Ebenezer Chapel in 1991 showing
remaining chamber tombs

In 1994 the extensive restoration and refurbishment to the Methodist Church and church hall in Bridge Street was paid for by selling The Manse to Mr Gregory and Rachel Furr. Whilst landscaping area behind church hall, the gardener found a stone lying flat (under a washing line) inscribed "Ebenezer. Samuel Chap 7 verse 12 - 1807". This was the foundation stone from the original  Ebenezer Chapel in Church Street. The foundation stone was moved to the Wesleyan Chapel in Charnham Street in 1869, and came to Bridge Street in 1972 when the Wesleyan Chapel  was demolished.
"Ebenezer" means "stone of thanksgiving".