All Saints Church, Portland facts for kids
All Saints Church is a special Church of England church. You can find it in Easton, on the Isle of Portland, in Dorset, England. This beautiful church was officially opened in 1917. It has been recognized as an important historical building since 1978. All Saints Church took over from an older church called St George's Church. Many people think it is the most beautiful church on Portland. Even though it's a bit hidden, it is still a very active church today. It is part of the Portland Parish, which includes two other churches: St. John's Church and the Avalanche Memorial Church.
Why a New Church Was Built
In the early 1900s, people wanted a new main church for Portland. The old church, St George's, had some problems. It was often cold and drafty inside. Also, the way the church seats (called pews) were sold caused issues. Over time, it became very hard to find the owners of these pews. This made it difficult to manage the church properly.
Because of these problems, plans for a new church began. These plans were officially approved in 1913. Everyone agreed that a new, more comfortable church was needed for the community.
Building the Church
By March 1914, enough money had been collected to start building. The chosen spot for the new church was in an area of Easton called Straits. Construction began in 1914. The church was finished and officially opened in 1917.
A talented architect named George Crickmay designed the church. His company, Crickmay and Sons, built it. The total cost to build All Saints Church was about £13,000. The original plans included adding a tall tower to the church. However, this tower was never built.
