All Saints Church, Portland facts for kids
All Saints Church is a Church of England church located in Easton, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. It was officially opened for worship in 1917. Since 1978, it has been recognized as a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historical site. All Saints Church took over many duties and items from the older St George's Church. Many people consider it the most beautiful church on Portland, even though it's a bit hidden. Today, it's still an active church and is part of the Portland Parish, which includes St. John's Church and the Avalanche Memorial Church.
History of All Saints Church
Why a New Church Was Needed
In the early 1900s, the local bishop wanted a new church built on Portland. The old St George's Church, which was the main church for the area, had some problems. It was often cold and drafty inside. Also, the way its seats (called box pews) were originally sold caused issues. Over time, these pews had been split among many Portland families. It became very difficult to find all the owners. Because of these problems, plans for a new main church were approved in 1913.
Building the Church
By March 1914, enough money had been raised to start building the new church. The chosen spot was in an area of Easton known as Straits. Construction began in 1914 and was finished by 1917. The church was designed by an architect named George Crickmay. His company, Crickmay and Sons, built the church. The total cost to build All Saints Church was about £13,000. The original plans included adding a tall tower, but this part was never built.
