Baptist Chapel And Attached Schoolroom, Bank Buildings

The Baptist Chapel and attached Schoolroom were built in Weymouth between 1813 and 1814 by George Welsford, with subsequent alterations in 1828, 1859, and 1864. The chapel was enlarged with galleries in 1828, refronted in 1859, and the schoolroom was added, alongside re-pewing in 1864. The building is constructed of rendered material with slate roofs.

The architectural style is a plain two-storey block featuring a grand main front to the north and a return to South Parade, where the schoolroom projects forward at an angle. The main front has a central pedimented section with giant Doric half-columns in antis, flanked by single outer bays with square Doric pilasters. A central arched doorway is framed by a moulded architrave on imposts, leading to a pair of two-panel doors with a double radial fanlight, set upon five stone steps. Either side of the doorway are arched casements at two levels within moulded architraves, which feature keystones, ears, and flared feet. The upper windows have aprons with a sunk panel between the pilasters, while the ground-floor sills are formed by the cornice mould of the pedestal storey, returning for the depth of the front wall only. The full Greek Doric entablature, with a blocking course, also returns at the ends. A raised panel above the central door bears the inscription 'BAPTIST CHAPEL'. The right flank incorporates three arched windows at each level, the first floor having moulded architraves, vermiculated keystones, ears, and flared feet on a continuous sill band which inflects to the sills over two brackets; the heads contain plaster fanlights. Ground-floor windows are similar but without keystone and sill band, and include glazed fanlights. Casements have margin-panes and leaded lights. A small door, with a moulded architrave and radial fanlight, is situated to the left, set on stone steps. A steeply pitched hipped roof tops the structure. A parapet quadrant links the front to the side eaves. The schoolroom features a pair of panelled doors facing north, and its return front has two storeys with three margin-pane sash windows, each with 16 panes, set within a sill band at first floor. A moulded cornice and blocking course, returned at the south end, is constructed of brickwork.

The interior includes a gallery on three sides, supported by cast-iron columns. The original front of the chapel appears to have resembled two matching houses, later replaced by the present Doric facade. The Schoolroom was separately listed on June 14, 1974.