WARMINSTER Community Hospital celebrated its 150th anniversary on Monday, August 8 with the unveiling of a photograph of the hospital's founder.

The hospital, previously known as Warminster Cottage Hospital, was formed when Reverend James Erasmus Philipps, the vicar of Warminster at the time, persuaded the Marquess of Bath to lease a farmhouse and land to be converted for medical purposes.

It was later opened by the Marchioness of Bath on August 7, 1866 with three bedrooms to accommodate six patients as well as a fourth for a nurse to live in. Rev Philipps was the General Manager.

A photograph of Rev Philipps was unveiled by his great granddaughter, Nicky Philipps, at the ceremony on Monday.

She said: “It was a lovely afternoon to celebrate the anniversary of the hospital and it was really nice hearing more about my great grandfather.

“I didn’t realise he had such a profound impact in the town. I knew he was a vicar but I didn’t know he was regarded as such a Victorian philanthropist.

“He was clearly very determined to make things happen and he managed to do so despite not having much money. He used to pray to God to send him cheques.

“They are going to hang the picture in the hallway of the hospital which will be a really nice location for it."

Threats to close the hospital were made in 1993 and 1996 but successfully fought off by opposition of Warminster residents.

Chairman of Friends of Warminster Hospital, Charles Lane, said: “It was a really nice day, especially being able to connect the Philipps family back to Warminster and catch up with Nicky."

Rev Philipps was the vicar of Warminster from 1859 until 1897, in which time he oversaw a major renovation of St Denys the Minster and in 1865 founded St John’s Boreham Road as a daughter church of the Minster.

He also founded St John’s Church of England School.