This is a delightful little church serving a charming and very rural hamlet, that has been a settled since ancient times. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), however the first mention of a church is found in the records of the Abbey of St. Augustine in Bristol in the mid C12 and the first recorded Rector was instituted in 1307.
The present building dates from C14 when there was a simple nave, chancel and south tower. A north mortuary chapel was added to house the Newman family monuments in 1750. There were no further significant alterations until 1904 - 5.
The magnificent candle-lit brass chandeliers in the nave, the 1637 entrance door and the excellent barrel roofs are especially worthy of note.
There are two fonts; the one at the back of the building is particularly interesting because it has elements dating from both C15 and C18. The stained glass west window is from 1973.
This church handsomely rewards a visit.
The Trust gratefully acknowledges images and text by Robin Adeney ©
Grant date | Reason | Amount | Extra amount | Extra reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
01/06/18 12:00 am | Towards waterproofing of the tower | £7,500 | £10,000 | NCT Partnership grant |
Ref | Title | Town | Postcode | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
St. Mary Magdalene | Fifehead Magdalen | SP8 5RT | 0 | |
St. Michaels & All Angel | Stour Provost | SP8 5RZ | 1 | |
St. Andrew | Todber | DT10 1JD | 1 | |
St. Mary | West Stour | SP8 5RL | 1 | |
Christchurch | East Stour | SP8 5LP | 1 | |
St Gregory | Marnhull | DT10 1PZ | 1 | |
All Saints | Kington Magna | SP8 5EG | 2 | |
All Saints | Stour Row | SP7 0QW | 2 | |
St. John the Baptist | Buckhorn Weston | SP8 5HS | 3 | |
Margaret Marsh | Margaret Marsh | SP7 0AZ | 3 | |
St. Peter | Hinton St. Mary | DT10 1NA | 3 | |
St Mary | Stalbridge | DT10 2LR | 4 | |
St Mary's | Gillingham | SP8 4UU | 4 | |
St Luke | West Orchard | SP7 0LJ | 4 | |
St. Thomas | East Orchard | SP7 0LJ | 4 | |
St. Mary | Sturminster Newton | DT10 1DE | 4 | |
St. Paul | Hammoon | DT10 2DB | 5 | |
St. John Evangelist | Enmore Green | SP7 8QR | 5 | |
St. James | Shaftesbury | SP7 8HG | 5 | |
St Mary | Motcombe | SP7 9NT | 5 |
DHCT C/o Porter Dodson, 53 High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1UX
282790