Wareham
Lady St. Mary
The most impressive view of Lady St. Mary is from the road from Stoborough. It seems to tower above the other buildings on the river bank, yet it is almost impossible to photograph the whole from the ground. Tradition has it that St. Aldhelm (639 - 709) founded this church and, although added to, it remained untouched until 1841.
As with so many wonderful churches in the county, the Victorians simply could not leave them alone. In many cases if work had not been done the structures would certainly have collapsed, but a dilapidated roof is hardly an excuse to demolish the nave. What we now have is a Saxon church with a plain Victorian nave. Nevertheless, it remains an exceptional church of great interest.
The south chapel with 13c vaulting is dedicated to St. Edward, who was martyred at Corfe in 978. The 14c chancel is magnificent with a superb east window and range of four sedilia with a double piscina in the eastern bay. The landmark tower was added in 15c. Later, galleries and box pews were added, although both were removed by the Victorians. There is a unique 12c octagonal decorated lead font mounted on a Purbeck stone base.
Of its many illustrious rectors, probably the most celebrated is Rev. John Hutchins who was the incumbent from 1744 to 1773. He was responsible for producing the definitive history of Dorset's buildings, which is still in use today. (See also Bradford Peverall)
The Trust gratefully acknowledges text by Robin Adeney and Air Photography by DHCT © DHCT 2018
Grant date | Reason | Amount | Extra amount | Extra reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
01/06/17 12:00 am | Towards repair of the Beckett Chapel | £3,000 | £5,000 | application for Partnership grant |
Ref | Title | Town | Postcode | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lady St.Mary | Wareham | BH20 4ND | 0 | |
St. John the Evangelist | East Holme | BH20 6AG | 2 | |
St. Martin | Wareham | BH20 4HE | 2 | |
Church | Arne | BH20 5BJ | 3 | |
St. John | Creech | BH20 5DF | 3 | |
St. Mary - Redundant (converted to a dwelling) | East Stoke | BH20 6AN | 3 | |
St. Peter | Church Knowle | BH20 5NF | 3 | |
Church of Saint Edward the Martyr | Corfe Castle | BH20 5EZ | 4 | |
St.Michael and All Angels | Steeple | BH20 5NY | 4 | |
Church | Lytchett Minster | BH16 6JE | 4 | |
St. Nicholas | Kimmeridge | BH20 5PE | 5 | |
St. James | Kingston | BH20 5LL | 5 | |
St Mary | Morden | BH20 7DW | 5 | |
St. Andrew | Bloxworth | BH20 7EG | 5 | |
St Mary's Chapel | Lulworth | BH20 5QS | 5 | |
St. Andrew | Lulworth East | BH20 5QS | 5 | |
St Mary the Virgin | Lytchett Matravers | BH16 6BS | 6 | |
St.Mary | Brownsea (Poole Harbour) | BH13 7EE | 6 | |
St. John the Baptist | Bere Regis | BH20 7HQ | 7 | |
St Mary's | Winterborne Zelston | DT11 9EU | 7 |
DHCT C/o Porter Dodson, 53 High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1UX
282790