Monument MPM1738 - Sundial, Crinoline Gardens

Stone sundial originally placed to mark the site of the Crinoline Church which stood approximately 30m north-east of the monuments present location.

Stone sundial originally placed to mark the site of the Crinoline Church which stood approximately 30m northeast of the monuments present location [1, 3]. The sundial was probably moved to its current positon when the Crinoline Gardens housing estate was built [1].

The Crinoline Church was a temporary wooden structure originally erected in Outram Road in 1858 for use as a temporary church prior to the building of St Bartholomew's. In 1862 the structure was moved to Waverley Road where it was again used as a temporary church for the parish of St Stephen. The Crinoline Church finally moved to Eastney where it was used by the Royal Marine Artillery until St George's church was built in c1905 (see MPM1291). [2, 3]

A plaque on the sundial bears the following inscription: THIS SUNDIAL MARKS THE SITE OF THE OLD "CRINOLINE" CHURCH WHICH WAS BUILT AS A HOSPITAL FOR THE CRIMEA. AFTER BEING BROUGH TO ENGLAND IT WAS PURCHASED BY THE ADMIRALTY, ERECTED AT EASTNEY AND ACCOMMODATED 800. IN 1905 THE CHURCH OF ST ANDREWS TOOK ITS PLACE

Despite the wording on the plaque, there is no evidence the church was used in the Crimea. Later reports in the Portsmouth Evening News suggest the structure was built in Portsmouth in four weeks in 1858. [4]

The church was demolished c1906. [5]

The date the sundial was erected is not known, but it appears in a photograph taken c1960. [1]

<1> Backhouse, Tim, 2002-17, Memorials and Monuments in Portsmouth (Bibliographic reference). SPM259.

<2> Offord, J, 1989, Churches, Chapels and Places of Worship on Portsea Island (Bibliographic reference). SPM39.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1898, Ordnance Survey Map 1898 (Map). SPM265.

<4> Portsmouth Evening News, 1932, Portsmouth Evening News (Bibliographic reference). SPM376.

<5> Portsmouth Evening News, 1906, Portsmouth Evening News (Bibliographic reference). SPM377.