St Mary's Church, Weymouth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Weymouth, Dorset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | James Hamilton |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Completed | 1817 |
St Mary's Church is an important Church of England church located in Weymouth, Dorset, England. It was built between 1815 and 1817 using strong Portland stone. The church has a simple, classic design and has been recognized as a Grade I listed building since 1953. This means it's a very special historical building.
Contents
A Look Back: St Mary's Church History
Early Beginnings: The First Churches
The story of a church on this spot goes back a long way. Records show that a small chapel was first built here in the 13th century, around the year 1299. This was a very early place of worship for the local community.
Later, in 1605, a new church was built on the same site. This new building took over from another church, St Mary's at Radipole, to become the main parish church for the area of Melcombe Regis in 1606.
Why a New Church Was Needed
The old church at Radipole was too small for the growing number of people. It was also in a difficult location for many churchgoers to reach. People also worried about safety. They felt that the town of Melcombe Regis could be attacked by enemies while people were at church. A new church in a safer, more central spot was a good idea.
Royal Visits and Growing Needs
For many years, between 1789 and 1805, King George III often visited Weymouth. He would attend services at St Mary's Church during his stays. This made the church quite famous!
However, by the early 1800s, the church was again too small for the town's population. It was also getting old and falling apart. It needed a lot of repairs and more space.
Building a Bigger and Better Church
People in Weymouth started raising money in 1815 to rebuild the church. They wanted a church that could fit everyone. The old church's small size meant that many people were choosing to worship in other places.
Plans were drawn up by an architect named James Hamilton from Weymouth. He designed a church that could hold over 2,000 people. Many seats were planned to be free, so that poorer people and visitors to the seaside town could attend services easily.
Construction and Opening of the New Church
In June 1815, a special law was passed by Parliament to allow the church to be rebuilt. Builders were then asked to submit their plans and costs. The first stone of the new church was laid on October 4, 1815. An important church leader, the Bishop of Salisbury, helped with this ceremony.
The completed church was officially opened on March 23, 1817. Another important church leader, the Archdeacon of Dorset, led the opening service. Later, in 1922, the church had a big renovation. This included rebuilding the north side of the church.
