286, Southampton
286, formerly Swaythling Methodist Church, is a grade II listed church building in Swaythling, Southampton. The building is owned and managed by Southampton Methodist Circuit with City Life Church providing assistance with the day-to-day operations. Swaythling Methodist Church still meet on the premises in the Nona Bell Centre as a community of St James Road Methodist Church in Shirley having closed as an official Methodist Church in 2013.
| 286 | |
|---|---|
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  286 Shown within Southampton | |
| OS grid reference | SU4330315583 |
| Location | Swaythling |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Methodist and New Church |
| Churchmanship | Evangelical |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Swaythling Methodist Church |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1932 |
| Founder(s) | Herbert Collins |
| Associated people | J. Arthur Rank |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 20 November 1997 |
| Architect(s) | Herbert Collins |
| Architectural type | Central Hall |
| Style | Neo-Georgian |
| Specifications | |
| Number of floors | 2 |
| Number of domes | 1 |
| Materials | Red brick, Concrete, Slate, Copper |
| Administration | |
| Circuit | Southampton Methodist Circuit |
| District | Southampton Methodist District |
| Division | Pioneer Network |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor(s) | Bev Webb (City Life), Paul Woodman (City Life)[1] |
Building
The building includes a number of halls and smaller rooms in addition to the main auditorium, as well as a manse and some workshops.[2] Designed by Herbert Collins in a neo-Georgian style and built in 1932, the main auditorium is octagonal with a balcony over the entrance porch; the balcony is accessible via two stair towers on the north face. Attached to the south side is a wing containing other halls and rooms. Separate buildings on the west of the site contain some workshops and the manse.[2] The roof of the main hall is shallowly domed and clad in copper, topped by a copper-clad cupola.[2]
The whole site was grade II listed on 20 November 1997.[2]
Churches
Swaythling Methodist Church was established by architect Herbert Collins following his construction of many houses in the surrounding area, with the remit "I have built the houses, now build a place for the people to go". The buildings were constructed in partnership with J. Arthur Rank with full cinema facilities. The projector room is still present.[2]
City Life Church occupies the main auditorium on Sundays with a morning celebration for all ages and an evening celebration for adults and teenagers.
External links
References
- "The Church Team".
- "Swaythling Methodist Church including church hall, workshops and Manse". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
