Boat on Church Wall!

Boat on Church Wall!, a photo by LLAP Dorset on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
United Reformed Church, Chiswell Portland Dorset

The United Reformed Church was founded in 1825 when the people of Chiswell, the oldest settlement on the island, banded together to covert 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, with local people contributing with labour and materials and raising £80 for the project.

The church's final service was held on 27 September 2009, conducted by the Rev Bob Damer. The small band decided to carry on with fundraising, in aid of Portland Royal British Legion, mainly by holding a monthly jumble sale in the nearby village of Fortuneswell. June Green had been quoted in a Dorset Echo article of the time, stating "We didn't want to see our church close and we are very sad." Mrs Burden added "With the lack of support, trying to continue was no longer viable."

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