1850 BLAKEHAY BUILT
Henry Wells and William Fargo form the American Express in Buffalo.
Paul Julius Reuter uses 40 pigeons to carry stock market prices.
Levi Strauss made his first blue jeans.
The US Navy abolish flogging as a punishment.
1862 BLAKEHAY ENLARGED
American Civil War.
Lewis Carroll creates Alice in Wonderland
1985 BLAKEHEY CLOSES AS A PLACE OF WORSHIP
The first British mobile phone call was made by Ernie Wise to Vodafone.
Mikhail S Gorbachev becomes Soviet Leader.
British House of Lords first debate on Television.
Le Miserables opens at Palace Theatre London
2004 WESTON-SUPER-MARE TOWN COUNCIL PURCHASE THE BLAKEHAY
Google introduces G-mail
The Republic of Ireland becomes the first country in the World to ban smoking in public places.
2010 REFURBISHMENTS
2010 Work starts on refurbishing parts of the building including new toilets and bar area. 2010 England football team again fail to win the World Cup.
The History of the Blakehay
Blakehay History
The Blakehay, built in 1850, was Weston-super-Mare's first Baptist church and first public building.
In 1862 Hans Price, who became the town's leading architect, was commissioned to adapt and enlarge the building. During the Second World War it was hit by incendiary bombs. After the war it was rebuilt inside the original Victorian shell.
The name comes from "Black Hay", a field that originally lay between the High Street and Wadham Street.
The building closed as a place of worship in 1985 and was saved from demolition and replacement with a block of flats in 1986 by the actions of Weston Civic Society until the Town Council purchased it in 2004.
It was converted into a venue for amateur and professional events and public meetings. The original 230 church seats were placed on a new raked platform and the old Baptistery turned into a stage.
Other facilities in the building include Upper and Lower Studios, two dressing rooms and a kitchen.
Currently the Blakehay is used regularly for performances and events of various kinds including regular use by Weston Youth Orchestra, Weston College, R.A.F.A Concert Band and the Blakehay Actors Company.
