St George's Church, Portland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St George's Church, |
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St George's Church, Portland, view of the tower from the west
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Leadership | Churches Conservation Trust |
| Year consecrated | 1766 |
| Location | |
| Location | Isle of Portland, Dorset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Thomas Gilbert |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Completed | 1766 |
| Materials | Portland stone with slate roof |
St George's Church is a beautiful old church on the Isle of Portland in England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church was built a long time ago, between 1754 and 1766. It was created to replace an even older church, St. Andrew's, which was falling apart and not safe to use anymore.
In the 1960s, a special group was formed to help save and fix up St George's Church. Today, it is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. This trust helps protect old churches that are no longer used for regular services. Even though it's not used every week, special services are still held there twice a year: on St George's Day and Christmas Day.
History of St George's Church
The story of St George's Church began in August 1753. People from Portland had to decide if they should spend more money fixing the old St. Andrew's Church or build a brand new one. St. Andrew's Church was built in a risky spot and often had problems with the ground moving, like landslides.
Within two months, they made a decision. A study showed that repairing the old church would cost at least half as much as building a new one. So, they decided to build a new church in a better, easier-to-reach location. About a year after the new church was finished, a house was built nearby for the church's clerk. This building later became a famous local pub called The George Inn.
The church closed in 1914 for various reasons and became quite run down over the years. However, in the 1960s, a new group called the 'Friends of St George's Church' stepped in to protect it. They worked hard to restore the church to its former glory. Now, the church is considered a "redundant church," meaning it's no longer needed for daily worship. It officially became part of the Churches Conservation Trust on October 27, 1971.
Architecture and Design
St George's Church was designed by an architect named Thomas Gilbert, who also worked as a quarry merchant. Many people think St George's is one of the most impressive churches built in the 1700s in Dorset.
It's a large church made from Portland stone, a famous local rock. The church has a tall tower, a main hall called a nave, and parts that stick out on the sides called transepts. It also has a rounded end section called an apse and a small, unfinished dome where the main parts of the church meet. The way it's designed reminds some people of the famous architect Christopher Wren, especially the tower, which looks a bit like the towers of St Paul's Cathedral.
The windows are arranged in two rows, one above the other. They are simple but have wide frames that stand out. St George's Church is so important that it's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building. This means it's a very special historic building that needs to be protected. Thomas Gilbert is also thought to have designed other buildings nearby, including Queen Anne House, which was his own home.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Dorset
- List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in South West England
