Waterlooville Baptist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waterlooville Baptist Church |
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The church from the northwest
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| 50°53′05″N 1°01′35″W / 50.884702°N 1.026436°W | |
| Location | 368 London Road, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 7SY |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| Website | www.waterloovillebaptist.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1872 (as Ebenezer Chapel) |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Michael Manser |
| Style | Modernist |
| Groundbreaking | 1966 |
| Completed | 1967 |
| Administration | |
| District | South Eastern Baptist Association |
Waterlooville Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in Waterlooville, Hampshire, England. This church was built in 1966. It replaced an older, very well-known Victorian chapel that was on a different piece of land. The new church building is special because it's a great example of modern architecture. It is part of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
Contents
History of Waterlooville Church
Waterlooville started to grow in the early 1800s. It was a long town built along the main road from London to Portsmouth. This area used to be part of a forest. Over time, Waterlooville changed from a quiet residential area into a large village with many town-like features. By the 1960s, it had become a busy suburban area.
Early Churches in Waterlooville
The first church in the village was Anglican St George's Church, built in the early 1800s. Other Christian groups, called Nonconformists, first met in a building known as Ebenezer Chapel. This chapel was officially registered in 1874.
Later, a new Baptist chapel was built between 1884 and 1885. It was designed by George Rake, a local architect. This building was quite fancy, with an Italianate style and a tall tower. It was considered one of the town's most important buildings.
A New Church for a Growing Town
After World War II, Waterlooville grew very quickly. Many people moved there from Portsmouth because their homes were damaged in the war. This growth led to big changes in the town center in the 1960s. New shops and businesses were built.
Because of these changes, the old 1885 Baptist chapel had to be taken down. A new spot was found further north on London Road. Construction of the new church began in 1966, and it opened its doors in 1967.
Modern Church Design
The new Waterlooville Baptist Church was designed by architect Michael Manser. He was known for creating buildings that were very modern and bold. His design for the church is highly praised by people who study architecture.
Unique Architectural Features
The church is built with a steel frame. It uses black-painted I-beams that stick out, both horizontally and vertically. The front of the church, which faces London Road, has a large glass wall. This wall encloses the entrance area.
Inside, the church is a tall, open space. A tall screen in the middle divides the main worship area. You can even see the back of this screen through the glass front of the building. There is also another entrance on the side.
Behind the dividing wall, there is a large hall that can be used for many different activities. This hall has smaller rooms on its sides for offices. A movable screen can also separate the hall from the main church area. The dividing screen and the back parts of the building are made of plain grey brick. The furniture inside is simple, made of marble and steel. The only older piece is a pulpit from the 1800s.
Church Activities and Community
Waterlooville Baptist Church is an active place of worship. It is officially registered for services and for weddings. It is part of the Southern Counties Baptist Association, which is one of the regional groups within Baptists Together (the main Baptist organization in Great Britain).
Services and Groups
The church holds services on Sundays. Many other community activities happen throughout the week. The church is also home to groups like the Boys' Brigade and Girls' Brigade.
Since 2016, the church has been working with two other local churches on a special project. They are helping the community in Berewood, a new housing area near Waterlooville. They hold regular activities at Berewood Primary School in this new neighborhood.
See also
