Easton Methodist Church
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Easton Methodist Church is a Methodist Church in Easton, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, which was built in 1906–07.[1] The church, along with its former manse and boundary walls, has been a Grade II* Listed since May 1993.[2] Its church hall was formerly a Wesleyan school, dated 1878 on the porch. The school, with the boundary wall, was designated Grade II in May 1993.[3] The church remains active to date, as part of the Dorset South and West Methodist Circuit.[4]
Robert Carr Brackenbury, of Lincolnshire, came to Portland in 1791. Alongside Mr George Smith, the pair successfully established a Methodist following on Portland. By 1793 Brackenbury had a chapel built at his sole expense in Fortuneswell.[5] However, the 19th-century construction of Portland Harbour's Breakwaters, and the other associated government works and defences, led to a large increase within Portland's Methodist population.[6] A Wesleyan Church at Easton was built in 1854, and in 1878 a Wesleyan School within the village followed, built to accommodate 227 children.[7] By the end of the 19th-century, the decision was made to build a new Methodist church, known as Underhill Methodist Church, by 1899, replacing Brackenbury's original chapel.[8]
The increasing Methodist community led to the need for a Tophill church, and this was built between 1906 and 1907. It was designed by Latrobe and Weston of Bristol, and built by builders Wakeham Brothers of Plymouth, for a total cost of £7,000.[9] As it was sited alongside the 1878 Wesleyan School, the school building was transformed into the church hall.[10] Easton Methodist Church is still active today as part of the Dorset South and West Methodist Circuit. The congregation is currently at approximately 30 members, and the church is often the host of many different events for the community.
