Book excerpt: The story of the Old Baptist Chapel is a fascinating tale of family life and faith, persecution and tolerance. The Chapel began life as a late-fifteenth century hall house which was later converted into a Nonconformist meeting house. Tucked away down one of Tewkesbury's famous medieval alleyways and standing in the shadow of the magnificent abbey, this hidden gem has borne witness to five hundred years of domestic and religious use. Today it stands as a reminder of a vibrant community of independent religious thinkers and their influence on the town and surrounding areas.