United Reformed Church, Portland

Church in Dorset, England

United Reformed Church

The United Reformed Church is a former United Reformed Church in Chiswell, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It was founded in 1825 and closed in 2009.[1]

## History[edit]

United Reformed Church

The United Reformed Church was founded in 1825 when the people of Chiswell, the oldest settlement on the island, banded together to convert a barn and stable into a place of worship. By 1827, Chiswell had to accommodate the growing congregation and as a result the first chapel was built during 1827–28.[2] The church flourished under the guidance of the Rev JH Crump. The first pastor appointed to Portland was the Rev Frederick William Meadows. The next pastor, Rev C Cannon, died in office in 1854, whilst in those years the building had become too small for the growing congregation.[3]

As the building was not large enough for the local congregation, a new church opened on the same site. Rev James Cheney, described in the church records as "a remarkable, resourceful and skilful man", was the guiding light for the building that stands in Chiswell today, which was opened by 21 October 1858.[4] The church was first known as the Independent Chapel, as well as the Union Chapel, then the Congregational Church.[2] It became known as the United Reformed Church in 1972.

However, by the 21st century, the numbers in the congregation had dramatically dropped. Seven local people decided to team together in an attempt to the keep the church open by dealing with administration and fund raising. Despite various attempts by the congregation to save it, the church's final service was held on 27 September 2009, conducted by the Rev Bob Damer.[3] Although the building's future was uncertain, renovations have begun.[5]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Portland United Reformed Church : Portland, Activities of religious organisations : DT5". Around-dorset.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
2. ^ a b Paul Benyon. "Portland Churches, Buildings and Views". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
3. ^ a b "United Reformed Church at Chiswell to finally close (From Dorset Echo)". Dorsetecho.co.uk. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
4. ^ Historic England. "Monument No. 1486581". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 3 October 2015.
5. ^ "(ONLINE) Official website - United Reformed Church". Free Portland News. Retrieved 4 August 2013.

Coordinates: 50°33′35″N 2°26′49″W﻿ / ﻿50.5598°N 2.4470°W﻿ / 50.5598; -2.4470

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Isle of Portland

Settlements and areas|

* Castletown
* Chiswell
* Clay Ope
* Easton
* Ferry Bridge
* Fortuneswell
* The Grove
* Portland Bill
* Portland Harbour
* Southwell
* Tophill
* Underhill
* Victoria Square
* Wakeham
* West Cliff
* Weston

* Islands portal

Beaches and coastal features|

* Balaclava Bay
* Cave Hole
* Chesil Beach
* Chesil Cove
* Church Ope Cove
* Freshwater Bay
* Hallelujah Bay
* Little Beach
* Mutton Cove
* Portland Raised Beach
* Pulpit Rock
* Salt Pans
* Wallsend Cove

Attractions|

* Broadcroft Quarry Nature Reserve
* Chiswell Earthworks
* Culverwell Mesolithic Site
* Fancy's Family Farm
* Jurassica
* King Barrow Quarry Nature Reserve
* Nicodemus Knob
* Perryfield Quarry Nature Reserve
* Portland Museum
* Royal Manor Theatre
* Tout Quarry Sculpture Park
* Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy

Military|

* Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment
* Blacknor Fort
* East Weare Battery
* East Weare Camp
* East Weare Rifle Range
* HMS Osprey
* Inner Pierhead Fort
* Ministry of Defence Magnetic Range
* Portland Breakwater Fort
* RAF Portland
* RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey)
* Royal Naval Hospital
* Verne Citadel
* Verne Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
* Verne High Angle Battery

Castles|

* Pennsylvania Castle
* Portland Castle
* Rufus Castle

Lighthouses, Daymarks and NCI|

* NCI Portland Bill
* Old Higher Lighthouse
* Old Lower Lighthouse
* Portland Bill Lighthouse
* Portland Breakwater Lighthouse
* Trinity House Obelisk

Prisons|

* HM Prison Portland
* HM Prison Weare
* HM Prison The Verne

Gardens|

* Chiswell Walled Garden
* Easton Gardens
* Governor's Community Garden
* Victoria Gardens

Buildings and houses|

* The Captain's House
* The Cove House Inn
* The George Inn
* Queen Anne House
* St George's Centre

Churches|

* All Saints Church
* Avalanche Memorial Church
* Church of Our Lady and St. Andrew
* Conjurer's Lodge
* Easton Methodist Church
* Southwell Methodist Chapel
* St Andrew's Church
* St George's Church
* St. John's Church
* St. Peter's Church
* Underhill Methodist Church
* United Reformed Church

Memorials|

* Portland Cenotaph
* Royal Naval Cemetery

Industry|

* Durdle Pier
* Folly Pier
* Folly Pier Waterworks
* Grove Lime Kiln
* King's Pier
* Portland stone
* Portland Windmills
* Red Crane
* Southwell Business Park
* Sureline
* Verne Cistern

Working and disused Quarries|

* Bowers Quarry
* Broadcroft Quarry
* Coombefield Quarry
* King Barrow Quarry
* Perryfield Quarry
* Tout Quarry
* Yeolands Quarry

Railway|

* Merchant's Railway
* The Old Engine Shed
* Portland Branch Railway

Sports|

* Portland United F.C.

Events|

* Easton Massacre
* Great Southwell Landslip

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