History - St Paul Weymouth

Until 1852 land to the north of the Backwater, or Radipole Lake as it more commonly known now, was just farmland which lay within the parish of Wyke Regis. However, in 1856, the Melcombe Regis Cemetery was built on fields at Goldcroft and three years later the first Westham Bridge was opened, linking the growing community of Westham with old Melcombe Regis. The bridge served traffic from the town centre, through Westham and on to the Chickerell Road.

As is still the case, once a new road was in existence houses soon followed and by 1880 the population had grown to the extent that the Reverend Pigou, Rector of Wyke Regis, instigated the opening of a school and chapel on the south side of Abbotsbury Road. The chapel seated 200. Within ten years however, it was obvious that in a rapidly growing suburb this would soon be inadequate. The population of Westham in 1892 was about 1500 and the average number of communicants was reckoned to be 140.

The Reverend Sydney Lambert was curate in charge of the Church as it stood then. Together with several parishioners he held a meeting on April 21st 1892, to propose the building of a new church for Westham. This was followed by a public meeting chaired by John, Bishop of Salisbury, at the Guildhall in Weymouth on 18th June 1892 and was well attended by local dignitaries and businessmen as well as the Westham parishioners.

A site had already been chosen on the opposite side of the road from the existing church and school, and this was secured for the princely sum of £60. Fundraising began in earnest, the Bishop and Archdeacon setting the ball rolling with generous donations. The Archdeacon promised £450 on condition that £100 was raised in Westham and another £1000 in Weymouth before the end of April 1893.

Father Lambert seems to have been an energetic and charismatic man who inspired others by his enthusiasm and it was due in no small part to him that this beautiful church now exists.

Circulars were issued in Westham, inviting subscriptions; other clergy in the town preached sermons about the New Church and took collections in aid of the fund.

Plans were needed that would enable the church to be built in stages. The first stage would have to seat 400 at a cost not exceeding £3600. Four architects were invited to submit plans for the first portion which was to include the chancel.
Mr George H. Fellowes Prynne was the chosen architect and tenders were invited for the construction of the building. The lowest tender, of £3465, was accepted from Mr Gooding of Exeter, although taking the cheap option was to prove to be false economy.

The foundation stone was laid by Alice, Countess Hoyos, on May 4th 1894 in somewhat inclement weather. In a cavity hollowed out of the foundation stone is a bottle containing a piece of parchment on which is written the dedication, which concludes with the words: "Here let true faith and fear of God and brotherly love, ever flourish and abound".

Less than three weeks later concerns were being expressed that more rapid progress should be made on the building. Matters went from bad to worse however, culminating in a complete stoppage of work just a year later. Legal proceedings had to be instigated with the result that in June 1895, possession of all plant and materials took place and Mr Gooding was paid just £250 in full settlement. A Mr Foad was then appointed to complete this phase of the church.

By the end of 1895 the church was ready to be used for regular worship at last. The building consisted of the chancel, organ chamber, vestries, the first three bays of the nave with the south transept and aisle, and the north aisle. The Lady Chapel still only existed at foundation level. The access from the chancel to the chapel was boarded up and covered on the outside by corrugated iron, which must have been an attractive sight! The west end was also boarded up.

Created on 2004-10-14 14:51:55 by webmaster
Updated on 2009-05-23 15:47:54 by stpaul