West Bay Methodist Church facts for kids
The West Bay Methodist Church was once a Methodist chapel located in West Bay, England. It first opened its doors in 1849. People in the area often called it "the chapel on the beach." The chapel stopped holding services in 2007. Later, in 2018, it was changed into the West Bay Discovery Centre. This old chapel has been a Grade II listed building since 1975, which means it's an important historical building.
History of the Chapel
Before the chapel was built, a group called the West Bay Wesleyan Society started meeting in 1828. They held their services and gatherings in a local house.
Building the Chapel
As more people joined the society, they needed a bigger place. So, a Methodist church was built in 1849. It was constructed by builders named John Cox and Son. The new chapel was located near the West Bay harbour and Chesil Beach. It officially opened on December 4, 1849. The chapel served the local community for many years, until May 2007. It was only closed for a short time during World War II.
From Chapel to Discovery Centre
After the chapel closed, the West Dorset District Council sold the building. In 2012, they sold it to the Bridport Area Development Trust for just £1. The trust then made plans to turn the old chapel into a visitor centre. They asked for and received permission for this in 2015.
In 2017, the project received money from the Coastal Communities Fund. The work to restore and change the building happened in 2018. This work was done by R&C Building Conservation from Shaftesbury. The new West Bay Discovery Centre officially opened in August 2018.
