St George's Church, Portland

St George's Church is a Georgian parish church in Portland constructed from local limestone with classical features such as twin pulpits, galleries, and box pews arranged in traditional design. The interior retains its original structure with curved staircases leading to the north and south galleries.

The building was constructed in 1766 to replace the older St Andrew's Church after a decision was made that constructing new would be more cost-effective than repair. This marked a significant shift in how the local community approached its religious needs.

The churchyard surrounding the building is a place where you can read the history of the community through thousands of gravestones that tell stories across generations. The inscriptions show how people lived here and how they chose to be remembered.

Access is provided through gravel paths approaching from several directions, making it easy to explore the churchyard and exterior grounds. The interior opens to visitors only on two special days each year, so planning ahead is necessary.

A historic G M Holdich organ occupies the west gallery inside the building and has shaped its musical character over time. This organ is a fine example of the craftsmanship of its era and continues to be part of what gives the space its special feel.

Location: Portland

Inception: 1754

Architects: Thomas Gilbert

Architectural style: Georgian architecture

Made from material: Portland limestone

GPS coordinates: 50.54700,-2.44380

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47