Weymouth Bay Methodist Church

Weymouth Bay Methodist Church is a Methodist church in Weymouth, Dorset, England. It was built in 2008–09 to replace a church of 1866–1870 which was gutted by fire in 2002.[1]

Weymouth Bay Methodist Church
Religion
AffiliationMethodist
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusActive
Location
LocationWeymouth, Dorset, England
Geographic coordinates50.6228°N 2.4481°W / 50.6228; -2.4481
Architecture
Architect(s)Saunders Architects of Southampton
TypeChurch
Completed2009

History

Weymouth's Methodist circuit originally occupied a church at Maiden Street, which was built in 1866–1870. The church underwent a £160,000 restoration in 1999, but was gutted by fire in January 2002.[2] Owing to the high costs of restoring the building, the congregation supported the construction of a new church. A site at Melcombe Avenue was purchased in 2005, occupied by a former Christian Science Church, and the Maiden Street church was sold for development in 2006.[3][4]

Plans for the new church, able to accommodate 240 people, were drawn up by Saunders Architects of Southampton. It was designed as a multi-use building, functioning also as a meeting space for community groups and a venue for performance and exhibitions. The congregation used St Nicholas' Church in Buxton Road and then Westham Methodist Church until the new church was built.[5][6]

The original planning application for the church was rejected by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council in February 2006 over concerns of the building's "overbearing impact" on neighbouring properties and its potential to "adversely affect the character of the area".[7] Revised plans were then approved in April 2006, which included the removal of the intended third storey and a reduction of the height of the church.[8][9]

Construction of the church began in October 2007 by Acheson Construction of Dorchester.[10] The foundation stone was laid by Rev. David Plume on 1 March 2008.[5] The £2.5 million Weymouth Bay Methodist Church was opened on 25 March 2009 by Rev. Stephen Poxon, the President of the Methodist Conference.[6][10] The opening of the church saw the uniting of the congregations of the Maiden Street and Westham Churches.[5]

Architecture

The church is built of red brick, with quoins and dressings of Portland stone and Welsh slate on the roofs. The two-storey church has an octagonal roof and pyramid roof light, with a hipped roof over the rear section and a single-storey front porch. The ground floor contains the sanctuary, side chapel, foyer, vestry, Sunday school room, meeting room, kitchen and toilets. The first floor has a gallery overlooking the sanctuary and a hall.[9] The church received the 2009 Weymouth Civic Society award, who praised the "thoughtful design", "impressive interior" and "excellent community facilities".[11]

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References
  1. "Dorset South & West – Weymouth Bay". Dsw.church. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  2. "Demolition work begins on burnt-out church". Dorset Echo. 2002-01-25. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  3. "Fire-Hit Church Up For Sale". Dorset Echo. 2006-03-22. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  4. "Why minister is praying for new church". Dorset Echo. 2006-01-26. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  5. "Stone paves way for a new era at church". Dorset Echo. 2008-03-20. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  6. "New £2.5m Weymouth Methodist Church rises from ashes". Dorset Echo. 2009-03-25. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  7. "05/00841/FUL | Erect new church | 32 Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7TH". Planning.dorset.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  8. "Way open for new church". Dorset Echo. 2006-03-28. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  9. "06/00113/FUL | Erect new church (resubmission) | 32 Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7TH". Planning.dorset.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  10. "Weymouth Bay Methodist Church". Refreshme.uk. 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  11. "Awards Archive". Weymouthcivicsociety.org. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
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