Salvation Army Hall, Godalming

In the heart of the picturesque town of Godalming, Surrey, stands a building that has witnessed the ebb and flow of history and faith for nearly two centuries. The former Salvation Army Hall, now known as Aurum House, is a testament to the town's rich tapestry of religious and architectural heritage. This Grade II listed building is not just a relic of the past but a symbol of the resilience and adaptability of the community it has served.

The Historical Tapestry of Godalming

Godalming, an ancient town with industrial roots, has long been a fertile ground for Protestant Nonconformity. In the late 17th century, the town's inhabitants, predominantly Puritan, found themselves at odds with the Anglo-Catholic views of the parish church's priest. This schism led to the rise of numerous informal Nonconformist groups, one of which was the Congregationalists. By 1730, their numbers had swelled enough to necessitate the construction of a chapel on Hart's Lane, now known as Mint Street.

The original chapel, known as Ebenezer Chapel, became a cornerstone of the community. Its congregation, considered the direct descendants of the conventicle of Charles II's reign, boasted 700-800 worshippers every Sunday, a significant figure given Godalming's population of 3,000 at the time. The chapel was extended in 1821 and rebuilt around 1830 to accommodate the growing congregation. However, by 1867, the Congregationalists had outgrown the Mint Street building and moved to a new chapel on Bridge Street.

A New Chapter: The Wesleyan Methodists

With the Congregationalists' departure, the Mint Street chapel found new life in 1869 as Godalming's first permanent Methodist chapel. The Wesleyan Methodists, who had been meeting in hired rooms and a small chapel in Farncombe since 1826, purchased the building for £450. The chapel quickly became a hub for the Methodist community, which continued to grow steadily. By 1903, the Methodists had also outgrown the Mint Street chapel and moved to a new church on Bridge Street, the Hugh Price Hughes Memorial Chapel, now known as Godalming United Church.

The Salvation Army Era

The Salvation Army, known for its mission to serve the needy and spread the Christian gospel, began using the Mint Street chapel in the early 20th century. Initially leased from the Methodist Church, the building was eventually purchased by the Salvation Army in 1918. Over the years, the hall underwent various alterations, including significant changes in 1930 and window replacements later in the century. Despite facing disrepair in the 1990s, the building was lovingly restored and continued to serve the Salvation Army congregation until its closure on September 29, 2012.

Architectural Highlights

The former Salvation Army Hall is a fine example of early 19th-century architecture, featuring walls of Bargate stone rubble—a coarse, light-brown sandstone quarried locally. The building's façade, with its brick laid in the Flemish bond pattern and painted over, exudes a timeless charm. The three-bay front is topped by a gabled pediment with an entablature, adding a touch of classical elegance. The centrally placed entrance is flanked by windows set into architraves, while the side and rear elevations boast arched windows, providing a harmonious blend of form and function.

Inside, the hall once featured a pulpit on the north wall between the windows and a gallery on the south wall, later replaced by an upper storey room. These elements, though altered over time, speak to the building's evolving role in the community's spiritual life.

A New Beginning: Aurum House

In May 2013, a planning application was submitted to convert the disused hall into an office building, a proposal that was approved two months later by Waverley Borough Council. Today, the building stands as Aurum House, a modern office space that retains its historical essence. Its Grade II listing, granted on August 21, 1990, ensures that this architectural gem remains protected for future generations to appreciate.

Godalming is home to several other listed places of worship, including the Quaker meeting house on Mill Street, St Edmund's Roman Catholic Church, Meadrow Unitarian Chapel, and the Congregational church on Bridge Street. Each of these buildings, like the former Salvation Army Hall, contributes to the rich historical and architectural landscape of this charming town.

In conclusion, the former Salvation Army Hall in Godalming is more than just a building; it is a living chronicle of the town's spiritual journey. From its origins as a Congregational chapel to its current incarnation as Aurum House, this historic edifice continues to embody the enduring spirit of the Godalming community.