This little church lies almost all alone in a large graveyard on the western side of the main Dorchester to Sherborne road. The village it served has largely vanished. It has not always been so for Sir Frederick Treves reports in his 'Highways and Byeways in Dorset', first published in 1906, that there was a huge mausoleum, "of marvellous hideousness" erected by a local squire. This squire was clearly rather hung-up about death because he used to make his staff practice his funeral arrangements, including the full procession, on a regular basis! There is nothing left of the building now.
The church is delightful with a short tower and a variety of roof shapes. The experts seem to be coy about the dates of this building, although it is mainly C15 and the chancel is definitely 1855. Inside, the most important feature is the charming white painted box pews with a unique (for Dorset) curved candle sconce above each. There is a Jacobean pulpit and C13 font.
The Trust gratefully acknowledges images and text by Robin Adeney ©
Grant date | Reason | Amount | Extra amount | Extra reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
01/06/19 12:00 am | For essential internal repairs | £10,000 |
Ref | Title | Town | Postcode | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Holnest | DT9 5PU | 0 | |
St. Mary | Hermitage | DT2 7BB | 2 | |
St. Mary the Virgin | Glanvilles Wootton | DT9 5QE | 2 | |
St. James | Longburton | DT9 5PF | 2 | |
St. Lawrence | Folke | DT9 5HP | 2 | |
St. Andrew | Minterne Magna | DT2 7AZ | 2 | |
St. Peter and St. Paul | Caundle Marsh | DT9 5LX | 3 | |
St Andrew | Leigh | DT9 6HL | 3 | |
St Martin of Tours | Lillington | DT9 6QX | 3 | |
St Nicholas | Hillfield | DT2 7BA | 3 | |
Church | Bishop's Caundle | DT9 5NL | 3 | |
The Holy Rood | Buckland Newton | DT2 7BX | 3 | |
St. Peter | Chetnole | DT9 6NZ | 4 | |
St. George | Beer Hackett | DT9 6RA | 4 | |
St. Michael | Beer Hackett | DT9 6QT | 4 | |
St. Mary | Batcombe | DT2 7BG | 4 | |
St. Catherine | Haydon | DT9 5JB | 4 | |
St Thomas Becket | Pulham | DT2 7EA | 4 | |
St Andrews | Yetminster | DT9 6LG | 4 | |
Church | Up Cerne | DT2 7AW | 4 |
DHCT C/o Porter Dodson, 53 High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1UX
282790