Danny Howell writes:
Dewey House, North Row, Warminster
The Town Council Offices at North Row were for many years used as a school. The main part of this building was constructed in 1704 as a Presbyterian Church for a congregation which previously used to meet in Beastleaze Meadow and later at another building in North Row.
A British School for Nonconformist children was established in 1827 at Ash Walk and nine years later it moved to North Row, into the schoolroom attached to a chapel built by the Congregationalists who separated from the Presbyterians in 1719. In 1868 the Presbyterian Church closed and the building changed hands, re-opening as the British School in 1870.
It remained a school until 1923 when its pupils were transferred to the Close School. Already in County Council hands by that time it (the Dewey House building) was later used as an annexe by the Avenue School and as a base for further education classes. In 1981, using money from the will of the late Harold Dewey (who died in 1971), the Town Council bought the property for use as offices. It is now named Dewey House after Harold Dewey.
Measuring marks are painted on one of the interior upright pillars. These were originally used by the much-feared Mr. Chappell who held woodwork lessons here. They were re-painted recently by local artist and signwriter Chico Holton.
On the outside of the building is one of Warminster’s two Domesday plaques.