Located in western Wiltshire County England is the town of Warminster. Warminster was settled during the Saxon period with its name having been recorded in the 10th century. Although the original settlement is credited to that period there have been remains of settlements nearby that date back to the Iron Age. The town gets its name from the Were River that runs through the town, that claim is often contested as some say it comes from a monastery or Saxon minister that first settled in the area. The town has a rich religious history that gives visitors many interesting things to see.
Thanks to the religious history of the town there are many different churches for you to view. Probably one of the most famous is Christ Church. This evangelical church is still in use today and has two services on Sunday for you to enjoy. The 9:30 service is more lively and geared towards families while the 11am service is more reflective. The church itself was built in 1830 and was there to serve the people of Warminster Common. The interior of the church has been renovated several times including recently in 2004 when the modernized nave Altar and pews were removed. These had caused a great controversy in the area. The exterior of the church, however, still retains its 1800s roots. It's a beautiful building that should be viewed at least from the outside, if you have no interest in going inside for services.
Another of the popular churches is the Church of St John the Evangelist. This church was built in the 1850s and was developed on eight acres of land. The baptistery, which is located at the west end of the building, was designed by Charles Ponting in 1912. The beautiful mosaic tile work that decorates the basin was provided by the London glaziers J Powell and Sons of Whitefriars. The building is a must stop for those interested in ancient churches.
Probably one of the oldest churches in Warminster is the Chapel of St Lawrence. This Peoples Church, as it is called was built in 1575. The denomination of this church is peculiar in that it actually exists outside of the control of the church and the townspeople of Warminster "own" the church. The building and the cottage behind the building have been beautifully restored and are definitely worth a look. The church is also the center for many interesting activities such as the raising of the cross during the Easter season and the Field of Remembrance in November.
Of course, while religion plays a significant part in the history of the town there is also another unearthly heritage. Warminster is home to several UFO sightings. The first such account was in the 1960s, unlike most UFO "sightings" these first accounts weren't actual sightings they were "hearings". Residents reported hearing strange unidentified sounds which has since been known simply as the "Thing". Since then hundreds have flocked to the area in hopes of seeing or hearing UFOs.
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