This history of the Chapel was put together by Mr Tony Wicks, a well knownand loved octogenarian, both in the Chapel and in the village of Cromhall.

In the reign of King George III, the village of Cromhall was said to be a "dark place, benighted with ignorance" but in the year 1813, "true light sprang up by the preaching of some itinerants in a humble cottage". These itinerant preachers were Christinas influenced by Rev Rowland Hill, whose ministry was having great effect in the Wotton-under-Edge district.

These cottage and open air meetings continued for a year or two when, at the instigation of Rev Rowland Hill, some property to the north of the Post Office at Townwell, owned by Samual Long, a woolen cloth manufacturer of Charfield was, "by gospel spirit and liberality" set aside for the provision of a Meeting House for the growing fellowship. By 1819 a Chapel and adjoining cottage were built by Mr Long in association with Mr Christopher Keeling, who was involved in the local coal and iron industry, and with great joy and thanksgiving, the opening ceremony was conducted by Rev Rowland Hill, assisted by his collegue, Rev Theophilus Jones, minister of the independant Chapel at Kingswood.

In 1842, when the fellowship was well established with a membership of over 50, a Sunday School of similar strength, the property was conveyed to a new trust, charged with the responsibility of upkeep and ensuring that worship would be carried out in accordance with the Westminster Confession of Faith.

From early times, the affairs of the early church were under the care of Deacons, elected by the members, and for about 50 years the minstry was maintained exclusively by these stewards of the Lord.  In 1891 Rev Edwin Child was appointed Pastor and upon his death in 1903, Rev Ivor Hanson was appointed, who also oversaw Mount Pleasant Chapel at Whitfield.  In 1908 he moved to Micheldean and the Bristol Itinerant Society were asked for their assistance with supplying preachers.  In 1910, Rev and Mrs Neath, who had been prevented by civil war from taking up a Missionary post in Nicaragua , came and assisted the Church for two years.  Pastor W J Baker led the fellowship for 30 years until the end of the Second World War.  There were then a number of shorter appointments - Mr R Parker-Curtis, Mr Henry Dickenson and then Mr L H England was Pastor until 1957.

That year, Mr John Mills took over the Pastorate from Mr England, and under his leadership the fellowship increased in number and blessing, especially regarding the work among the young people, and the inauguration of a monthly Area Bible Study, a time on a Wednesday evening devoted to the exposition of the Scriptures led by eminent teachers, and to which local churches are invited.

Although officially retired as Pastor in 1997, Mr John Mills still plays an active part in the ministry of the Church. No new Pastor has been appointed and the affairs of the Church are currently in the hands of Elders and Deacons, and many in the Church play an active part and we maintain our original commitment to Bible based ministry.

Over the years, a number of bequests have enabled us to maintain and add to the fabric of the building - for example a new Hall with toilet and kitchen facilities, a Car Park and new front porch with integral access to the gallery accommodation, the 60 year old windows replaced with double-glazed units. Our income also covers considerable Missionary outreach and this keeps us in close fellowship with a number of the Lord's servants who are working in various parts of the world.