Bridport Arts Centre, South Street, Bridport

Image: © Jo and Steve Turner Taken: 25 Aug 2021

Grade II Listed former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. 1838 built by Charles and Joseph Galpin of Bridport. Timothy Connor, in his book on Joseph Galpin and late Georgian Architecture in West Dorset, tells us that both Joseph and Charles submitted drawings for the chapel and the two houses in front. He claims it was built to Joseph's plan but with an ionic portico and that there is no evidence of another architect being employed. Galpin's drawing is very similar to the final building but lower, possibly single storey? James Wilson of Bath quoted in the listing as architect carried out alterations to the façade in 1861-72. Wesleyan Methodism was established in Bridport in 1808 at a house in North Street (then Pig Lane). When the United Reformed and Methodist Church came together the Congregational church in East Street was chosen as the home for the new church partnership that came into existence as a Local Ecumenical Partnership on 10 November 1971. The site was bought in May 1973 by The Bridport and District Arts Society, for use as a rehearsal and meeting space. The Chapel, now known as the Marlow Theatre, underwent an extensive refurbishment project in 2016.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0