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		Dorset Gardens Methodist Church Dorset Gardens, Brighton, BN2 1RL, United Kingdom. Tel:  +44 (0)1273 605502 Fax:  +44 (0)1273 605111 Email:  office@dgmc.org.uk

	Milestones
	DORSET GARDENS (WESLEYAN) METHODIST CHURCH, 1808-THE PRESENT
	1.  CHRONOLOGY
		1808	28 August: First building 'Dorset Gardens Wesleyan Methodist Chapel' ('Arminian Chapel') was opened by Rev. Joseph Benson.
		1823	First building extended.  Greek columns added.
		1884	First building demolished.  This is an initiative of Rev. Thomas E. Westerdale.
		1885	29 June: Second Building 'Dorset Gardens Wesleyan Methodist Chapel' opened by Rev. Frederic Greeves, President of the Conference.  Italianate design.
		1924	Dorset Gardens becomes the centre for the Dome Mission, under Rev. J. Morris Bold.
		1928	Work starts on complete restructuring of Dorset Gardens.  All but the sanctuary itself rebuilt or extended onto spare land.  The purpose is to create the Mission Headquarters for the 'Dome Mission'.
		1930	5 February: The greatly extended Second Building opened by Rev. Dr. J. Scott Lidgett.
		2000	Second Building demolished.
		2003	5 April: Third Building (current building) opened by Rev. Mary Bailey (previous Minister), Preacher Rev. Dr. Colin Morris.  For the first time in its history, a new building or major extension was opened debt-free.
	2.  DOME MISSION
		1908	Founded by Rev. E. Aldom French, Minister at Norfolk Road Wesleyan Methodist Church, Brighton.
		1914	Dome Mission closed during War.
		1921	Dome Mission re-started.  Rev. J. Morris Bold Minister specifically of the Dome Mission.
		1924	Dome Mission based at Dorset Gardens.  Rev. Bold Minister both at Dorset Gardens and the Dome Mission.  Congregation 1,500-2,500.  Often 2,500, plus overflow of some hundreds in WWII under the ministry of Rev. George H. Simpson
		1970's	To 1990's.  Gradual decline of Dome congregation.  Dome Mission ceases 1990's.
	For most of the rest of the century the Dome Mission played a very important part of the town's life.  E.G. Remembrance Day, Celebrity Carol Services, etc.
	3.  MINISTERS SINCE 1948

	1948 - 1953	Rev. Frederick Pratt Green
	1953 - 1967	Rev. Dr. Leslie Newman
	1967 - 1975	Rev. Frank Thewlis
	1975 - 1981	Rev. Dr. R. John Tudor
	1981 - 1986	Rev. Charles Banks
	1986 - 1994	Rev. Peter W. Shilling
	1994 - 2002	Rev. Mary Bailey
	2002 - Present	Rev. Cynthia Park

Michael R. Hickman Circuit Archivist

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