Weston Primitive Methodist Chapel
Weston Primitive Methodist Chapel, later known as the Weston Street Methodist Church, is a former Methodist chapel of mid-19th century origin in the southern region of Weston. It opened as a Primitive Methodist chapel in 1860 and closed as a place of worship in 2003. It is now used as a chapel of rest by Rose Funeral Service.
In recent years, the chapel has been designated an Important Local Building as part of the conservation area of Weston. The Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland notes the chapel's "good pair of central entrance doors" and its "interesting pairing" with the adjoining three-storey cottage (28 Weston Street).
History
A Primitive Methodist society was established on Portland in 1838 through the efforts of Thomas Russell, an early missionary of the Primitive Methodist movement in England and Ireland. Rev. Russell based his mission in Chiswell and successfully formed a small society as part of the Weymouth Circuit, with Ranter's Lodge, a store in the village, soon being converted into a preaching room. In 1850, Portland's society began to branch beyond Underhill by holding services for the residents of Tophill in a cottage at Weston.
As the society gained new members in Tophill, efforts were made to establish a chapel at Weston. Once enough funds had been raised to start construction work, the chapel was built in 1859. A plot of land at Weston Street was donated by Mr. R. Wollage and Mr. Otter, with some additional land being purchased from Mr. Stone. The chapel was designed to accommodate approximately 130 people and cost £110 to build, £50 of which remained as debt at the time of the chapel's opening.
The £60 already raised came from a number of sources, including two tea meetings which had generated around £10, subscriptions raising around £6 and the chapel at Chiswell (built in 1858) providing £13 from its own income. At the opening services, a £20 donation was received from Mr. J. Mabey and a further £5 was collected. The remaining £50 was obtained as a loan provided by four members of the society; Mr. Comben, Mr. Vincent and Mr. Gibbs loaned £10 each and Mr. Mabey provided a £20 loan in addition to his donation.
The chapel's opening services were held on 22 and 23 January 1860, with the Weymouth Circuit minister Rev. John Holroyd and his colleague officiating. In his report of the event for the Primitive Methodist Magazine, Holroyd described the new chapel as "neat and substantial" and described the donations received on those days as "manifest[ing] true Christian liberality". In 1876, the chapel received a new pulpit and "more comfortable" seating. In 1887, Portland's society split from Weymouth to form the Portland Primitive Methodist Circuit.
In 1896, the chapel received a harmonium from the Fortuneswell Primitive Methodist chapel. In 1905, the Trustees made plans to build a vestry at the back of the chapel. In addition to a £50 loan from a member of the society, funds were raised through members contributing small weekly donations between 2d. to 6d. for a number of months. The vestry was built in 1908 and opened by Miss Winnie Pearce on 17 December of that year. As part of the opening service, a sermon was preached by Rev. S. Taylor of Blandford. A platform was installed in the chapel in 1915 and opened by Mr. T. H. Otter, with a sermon being preached by Rev. Folley of Dorchester. In 1926, the chapel received 30 cups and a plate for Holy Communion, donated by Mr. and Mrs. E. Pearce.
In 1932, the Primitive Methodists merged with the Wesleyan and United Methodists to form the Methodist Church of Great Britain, which in turn saw the formation of the Portland Methodist Circuit in 1933. The chapel then became known as the Weston Street Methodist Church. In 1937, it received a font which was presented on 15 April by Mr. E. Bower.
While the former Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Weston Road ceased use in c. 1971, the chapel at Weston Street remained active as a place of worship until its final service was held in August 2003. The chapel continued to be used by the Portland Christian Fellowship for a period. It was then sold in March 2005 to Grassby & Sons Ltd for £87,500 and converted into a chapel of rest for the Weymouth-based funeral directors Rose Funeral Service. The Weston Room of Easton Methodist Church's hall is named after the chapel.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) Dorset for You - Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland - PDF document
2) HM Land Register (Weymouth Office) - Weston Street Methodist Church (Title number: DT329713) - register extract
3) Ordnance Survey - various maps, including 1929, 1961, 1969 and 1976
4) Rose Funeral Service - About Us - website page
5) The British Newspaper Archive - various contemporary newspaper articles - website page
6) The Island and Royal Manor of Portland 1750-1851 - J. H. Bettey - University of Bristol - 1970 - ISBN: 978-0901047052 - page 84 - book
7) The Primitive Methodist Magazine, for the Year of Our Lord 1860. - Chapel openings - page 241 - magazine
8) Weston Street Methodist Church Portland - Centenary - 1859-1959 - booklet (held in the archives of the Dorset History Centre)
In recent years, the chapel has been designated an Important Local Building as part of the conservation area of Weston. The Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland notes the chapel's "good pair of central entrance doors" and its "interesting pairing" with the adjoining three-storey cottage (28 Weston Street).
History
A Primitive Methodist society was established on Portland in 1838 through the efforts of Thomas Russell, an early missionary of the Primitive Methodist movement in England and Ireland. Rev. Russell based his mission in Chiswell and successfully formed a small society as part of the Weymouth Circuit, with Ranter's Lodge, a store in the village, soon being converted into a preaching room. In 1850, Portland's society began to branch beyond Underhill by holding services for the residents of Tophill in a cottage at Weston.
As the society gained new members in Tophill, efforts were made to establish a chapel at Weston. Once enough funds had been raised to start construction work, the chapel was built in 1859. A plot of land at Weston Street was donated by Mr. R. Wollage and Mr. Otter, with some additional land being purchased from Mr. Stone. The chapel was designed to accommodate approximately 130 people and cost £110 to build, £50 of which remained as debt at the time of the chapel's opening.
The £60 already raised came from a number of sources, including two tea meetings which had generated around £10, subscriptions raising around £6 and the chapel at Chiswell (built in 1858) providing £13 from its own income. At the opening services, a £20 donation was received from Mr. J. Mabey and a further £5 was collected. The remaining £50 was obtained as a loan provided by four members of the society; Mr. Comben, Mr. Vincent and Mr. Gibbs loaned £10 each and Mr. Mabey provided a £20 loan in addition to his donation.
The chapel's opening services were held on 22 and 23 January 1860, with the Weymouth Circuit minister Rev. John Holroyd and his colleague officiating. In his report of the event for the Primitive Methodist Magazine, Holroyd described the new chapel as "neat and substantial" and described the donations received on those days as "manifest[ing] true Christian liberality". In 1876, the chapel received a new pulpit and "more comfortable" seating. In 1887, Portland's society split from Weymouth to form the Portland Primitive Methodist Circuit.
In 1896, the chapel received a harmonium from the Fortuneswell Primitive Methodist chapel. In 1905, the Trustees made plans to build a vestry at the back of the chapel. In addition to a £50 loan from a member of the society, funds were raised through members contributing small weekly donations between 2d. to 6d. for a number of months. The vestry was built in 1908 and opened by Miss Winnie Pearce on 17 December of that year. As part of the opening service, a sermon was preached by Rev. S. Taylor of Blandford. A platform was installed in the chapel in 1915 and opened by Mr. T. H. Otter, with a sermon being preached by Rev. Folley of Dorchester. In 1926, the chapel received 30 cups and a plate for Holy Communion, donated by Mr. and Mrs. E. Pearce.
In 1932, the Primitive Methodists merged with the Wesleyan and United Methodists to form the Methodist Church of Great Britain, which in turn saw the formation of the Portland Methodist Circuit in 1933. The chapel then became known as the Weston Street Methodist Church. In 1937, it received a font which was presented on 15 April by Mr. E. Bower.
While the former Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Weston Road ceased use in c. 1971, the chapel at Weston Street remained active as a place of worship until its final service was held in August 2003. The chapel continued to be used by the Portland Christian Fellowship for a period. It was then sold in March 2005 to Grassby & Sons Ltd for £87,500 and converted into a chapel of rest for the Weymouth-based funeral directors Rose Funeral Service. The Weston Room of Easton Methodist Church's hall is named after the chapel.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) Dorset for You - Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland - PDF document
2) HM Land Register (Weymouth Office) - Weston Street Methodist Church (Title number: DT329713) - register extract
3) Ordnance Survey - various maps, including 1929, 1961, 1969 and 1976
4) Rose Funeral Service - About Us - website page
5) The British Newspaper Archive - various contemporary newspaper articles - website page
6) The Island and Royal Manor of Portland 1750-1851 - J. H. Bettey - University of Bristol - 1970 - ISBN: 978-0901047052 - page 84 - book
7) The Primitive Methodist Magazine, for the Year of Our Lord 1860. - Chapel openings - page 241 - magazine
8) Weston Street Methodist Church Portland - Centenary - 1859-1959 - booklet (held in the archives of the Dorset History Centre)
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