Conjurer's Lodge facts for kids
Conjurers Lodge is an old building on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It used to be a Methodist chapel and a workshop. You can find it in the village of Chiswell, on the corner of Clements Lane. This special building was first used as a chapel in 1816. It is now a Grade II Listed building, which means it's an important historical place. Experts say it's a "rare surviving example of its kind" on the island.
The Story of Conjurers Lodge
Conjurers Lodge has an interesting past. It started because of some disagreements among local Methodists.
How the Chapel Began
In 1816, there were some unusual stories going around among the Methodists in Portland. A church leader, Rev. Francis Derry, looked into these stories. Because of these differences in beliefs, about 50 members of the Methodist group left.
This group then decided to create their own place of worship. They set up a chapel on the top floor of a workshop in Chiswell. People started calling this new chapel "Conjurers Lodge."
A Decade of Worship
The Conjurers Lodge chapel was used for ten years. From 1816, people gathered there until 1826. In that year, the different Methodist groups on Portland came together again. This meant the Conjurers Lodge chapel was no longer needed for worship.
What Happened Next?
After its time as a chapel, the building found new uses. Much later, from 1973 to 2003, a company called Portland Joinery used the building. They turned it into a workshop for their business.
Today, Conjurers Lodge stands as a reminder of Portland's history. It shows how communities changed and adapted over time. Its special status as a Grade II Listed building helps protect it for the future.
