Southwell Methodist Chapel

Southwell Methodist Chapel

Southwell Methodist Chapel is a Methodist chapel on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is situated within Portland and Dorset's southernmost village Southwell. Established in 1849, it was built between terraced cottages on the east side of the road leading from Southwell to Portland Bill. The chapel closed in 1997 and is now a private residence.[1][2] It has been Grade II Listed since May 1993.[3]

The chapel, a small plain rectangular building,[4] features hammer-dressed stone block and a slate roof. With its gable to street, there are two 19th century 16-pane sashes to stone cills flanking the central gabled porch with slab roof. The coped gables feature cross-roll saddle stones. The chapel's street front remains unchanged, except for the later inscription "Southwell Methodist Church 1849" on the gable above doors.[5] According to J.H. Bettey's book "The Island and Royal Manor of Portland", there was room for a congregation of about 103 in 1851,[6] although it is later reputed to have had a seating capacity of 80.[7]

History

The establishment of Methodism on Portland dates to 1746, when founder Rev Charles Wesley lodged with a local stone mason, William Nelson, in Fortuneswell. After his departure, Nelson continued the small group Wesley had converted, however his death in 1770 saw the end of the society. The Methodist branch was revived twenty-one years later in 1791, when Methodist Robert Brackenbury, of Southampton, came to the island. Brackenbury's discovery of Portland was by coincidence, and after a year Brackenbury and his friend George Smith had a large Methodist following on the island, and this following was successfully maintained.[8] At Southwell a local man William Pearce had successfully registered his house for Methodist worship in 1818. This proved to be adequate for the following within the village.[9]

During the late 19th century, Portland saw a massive expansion within its population, directly due to the labour-demanding projects of building Portland's harbour breakwaters and the defensive Verne Citadel. With this large increase in population the local non-conformists saw a revival, assisted by the help of influential leaders, as well as readily available chapel building funds gained from the new money of the government works. The residents of Southwell opened their own small chapel in July 1849, only a number of days before Prince Albert would arrive at Portland to lay the first commemorative stone of the Breakwater. Between 1854-60, at least seven new chapels were erected across Portland.[10] The village residents were reputed to be teetotal Methodists, despite many readily signing a petition for the Eight Kings pub to be given a full licence circa 1901.[11]

The chapel continued its service until it closed in 1997, having served the community for 148 years.[12] Now privately owned, and functioning as a holiday let under the name "Chapel Cottage",[13] the chapel remains a modest but complete manifestation of the importance which Methodism played in the island's social history.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Morris, Stuart (1998). Discover Dorset: Portland. Dovecote Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-1874336495.
  2. ↑ http://www.geoffkirby.co.uk/Portland/685700/
  3. ↑ http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1280398
  4. ↑ http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=127539
  5. ↑ http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1280398
  6. ↑ http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pbtyc/Portland/S_Well/Methodist.html
  7. ↑ http://forebears.co.uk/england/dorset/portland#historicalDescriptions
  8. ↑ Morris, Stuart (1985). Portland: An Illustrated History. Dovecote Press. p. 42. ISBN 978-0946159345.
  9. ↑ Morris, Stuart (1985). Portland: An Illustrated History. Dovecote Press. p. 67. ISBN 978-0946159345.
  10. ↑ Morris, Stuart (1985). Portland: An Illustrated History. Dovecote Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-0946159345.
  11. ↑ Morris, Stuart (1985). Portland: An Illustrated History. Dovecote Press. p. 111. ISBN 978-0946159345.
  12. ↑ Morris, Stuart (1998). Discover Dorset: Portland. Dovecote Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-1874336495.
  13. ↑ http://www.portlandholidaylet.co.uk/portland-holiday-cottages/chapel-cottage.php
  14. ↑ http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1280398

Coordinates: 50°32′37″N 2°27′14″W / 50.54356°N 2.45381°W