St. Peter Church Knowle

The 13th century church is likely to have been built on the site of an even earlier church because the village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as the only place in Purbeck with a connection to a priest.

The present church was built to a simple cruciform plan and the tower and porch were added in the 14th century. The south transept houses an original stone altar top with six incised crosses, which was discovered in 1927 being used as a floor slab in the north aisle. The chancel arch and two former altar recesses are decorated with an attractive mural of foliage and flowers, probably originally painted in the 16th century. In the former north transept is the splendid Portland stone Clavell Monument and Brasses, erected by John Clavell in 1572 as his own altar tomb, 37 years before his actual death.

Between 1833 and 1841 alterations were made, with the north aisle being added, the nave roof being raised and a wooden gallery created. Unusually all the work of this period remains and was not replaced later in the century as was so often the case.

The Trust gratefully acknowledges text by Mrs Fiona Wake-Walker

Churches Nearby