286, Southampton

286, formerly Swaythling Methodist Church, is a grade II listed church building in Swaythling, Southampton. The building is owned and managed by Southampton Methodist Circuit with City Life Church providing assistance with the day-to-day operations. Swaythling Methodist Church still meet on the premises in the Nona Bell Centre as a community of St James Road Methodist Church in Shirley having closed as an official Methodist Church in 2013.

286
286
Shown within Southampton
OS grid referenceSU4330315583
LocationSwaythling
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationMethodist and New Church
ChurchmanshipEvangelical
History
Former name(s)Swaythling Methodist Church
StatusChurch
Founded1932
Founder(s)Herbert Collins
Associated peopleJ. Arthur Rank
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationGrade II listed
Designated20 November 1997
Architect(s)Herbert Collins
Architectural typeCentral Hall
StyleNeo-Georgian
Specifications
Number of floors2
Number of domes1
MaterialsRed brick, Concrete, Slate, Copper
Administration
CircuitSouthampton Methodist Circuit
DistrictSouthampton Methodist District
DivisionPioneer Network
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)Bev Webb (City Life), Paul Woodman (City Life)[1]

Building

The building includes a number of halls and smaller rooms in addition to the main auditorium, as well as a manse and some workshops.[2] Designed by Herbert Collins in a neo-Georgian style and built in 1932, the main auditorium is octagonal with a balcony over the entrance porch; the balcony is accessible via two stair towers on the north face. Attached to the south side is a wing containing other halls and rooms. Separate buildings on the west of the site contain some workshops and the manse.[2] The roof of the main hall is shallowly domed and clad in copper, topped by a copper-clad cupola.[2]

The whole site was grade II listed on 20 November 1997.[2]

Churches

Swaythling Methodist Church was established by architect Herbert Collins following his construction of many houses in the surrounding area, with the remit "I have built the houses, now build a place for the people to go". The buildings were constructed in partnership with J. Arthur Rank with full cinema facilities. The projector room is still present.[2]

City Life Church occupies the main auditorium on Sundays with a morning celebration for all ages and an evening celebration for adults and teenagers.

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References
  1. "The Church Team".
  2. "Swaythling Methodist Church including church hall, workshops and Manse". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
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