Victoria Methodist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Victoria Methodist Church |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Methodist |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Fry, Paterson and Jones of Weston-super-Mare |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Completed | 1936 |
Victoria Methodist Church is a Methodist church located in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England. The original church building, which stood from 1899 to 1900, was sadly destroyed by a fire in 1934. The church you see today was built to replace it. It was designed by a team of architects called Fry, Paterson and Jones from Weston-super-Mare and was completed between 1935 and 1936.
Contents
History
The First Church Building
The first Victoria Methodist Church was built between 1899 and 1900. It was created to replace an older Wesleyan Methodist chapel from 1847. Mr. W. J. Morley from Bradford designed the church. Mr. William Gibson from Exeter was the builder. Important foundation stones were laid on November 20, 1899. The church officially opened its doors on September 13, 1900.
The Big Fire of 1934
On February 5, 1934, a big fire badly damaged the church. It left the building as just an empty shell. People believed the fire started from a fuse in the organ's electrical system. The flames quickly spread through the church's wooden parts. After the fire, plans were made to build a new church. It would be on the same spot. They hoped to save and use the north wall and tower that were still standing. The church received £17,285 from its insurance company. Fry, Paterson and Jones, the architects, then drew up plans for the new building.
Rebuilding Challenges
Building the new church faced some delays. The Weston-super-Mare Urban Council wanted to make Station Road wider. The church leaders thought this plan would cost them a lot more money. It would mean tearing down parts of the old church that were still there. They would also have to move the building line. This would require new foundations. Some local church members did not want the ruined parts of the old church to be pulled down. However, the site was cleared later in 1934. By the end of that year, the church leaders and the council reached an agreement. The council bought the extra land they needed from the church for £700.
A New Beginning
In December 1934, Messrs Bryant and Son from Birmingham were chosen to build the new church. On March 6, 1935, the main foundation stone was laid. Mrs. Walter Robinson from Bath laid this stone. She was the sister of a former church leader, Rev. J. Walthew Simister. After that, sixty-three more stones were laid by different people who had donated money. Some of these stones were even saved from the old church.
The new Victoria Methodist Church opened on January 2, 1936. Mrs. W. H. Chamings from Burnham-on-Sea officially opened it. She was the wife of Rev. W. H. Chamings, who was one of the first ministers at the original church. Her son, Rev. W. Loxley Chamings, was also a minister at the new church. The new church cost £19,460 to build. At the time it opened, £250 of that money still needed to be raised.
What the Church Looks Like
Building Materials and Style
Victoria Methodist Church is built using local stone. The outer parts use Nailsea stone. The decorative parts use Hamstone. Inside, the walls are lined with brick. The church is designed in the Gothic style. Its look was inspired by the Methodist Church in Boscombe. It was built to hold 700 people. It also has a tower that stands 65 feet tall.
Inside the Church
When the church was first built, it had special features. The pulpit, where the minister speaks, was made of oak. It stood on a base of Portland stone. The font, the reading desk, the altar table, and other items were made from English oak. The organ was built and put in by the John Compton Organ Company Ltd. The beautiful stained glass in the east window shows "Sacrifice and Victory." This window is a special memorial to the local men who died during World War I. A war memorial tablet from the old church was saved. Even though it was damaged, it was repaired and placed above the inner west door.
