286, Southampton

286
286
Shown within Southampton
Coordinates: 50°56′17″N 1°23′06″W / 50.93817°N 1.38512°W / 50.93817; -1.38512
OS grid reference SU4330315583
Location Swaythling
Country United Kingdom
Denomination Methodist and New Church
Churchmanship Evangelical
History
Former name(s) Swaythling Methodist Church
Founded 1932
Founder(s) Herbert Collins
Associated people J. Arthur Rank
Architecture
Status Church
Functional status Active
Heritage designation Grade II listed
Designated 20 November 1997
Architect(s) Herbert Collins
Architectural type Central Hall
Style Neo-Georgian
Specifications
Number of floors 2
Number of domes 1
Materials Red brick, Concrete, Slate, Copper
Administration
Circuit Southampton Methodist Circuit
District Southampton Methodist District
Division Pioneer Network
Clergy
Senior pastor(s) Bev Webb (City Life), Paul Woodman (City Life)[1]

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.

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 began in the 1970s as a youth group which broke away from nearby Swaythling Baptist Church. The fellowship has adopted several names during its history, changing from City Gate to City Life in 2000, and is part of the national Pioneer Network. The church occupies the main auditorium on Sunday mornings.

References

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