Dorset East

Christchurch Priory

29th December 2012

Christchurch Priory December 29, 2012 by Claire Whiles

What a beautiful and interesting place Christchurch Priory is to visit.

In the 7th century a Saxon Minster was established here dedicated to the Holy Trinity by St Birinus but, on the orders of Ranulf Flambard, chief minister to King William II, this was demolished and the building started of this parish church, part of his Augustinian Monastery began in 1094.

My friend Janis and I were greeted by a friendly steward when we entered the church and given a helpful booklet on the building and its history. Other stewards, equally friendly and very knowledgeable were available to ask questions which was great as there was so much we were interested in.

The picture above shows the Norman arches and heavy columns with the lovely little dragons below at the base of each pillar.

A famous feature in the priory is the “Miraculous Beam” – The information board tells that the legend of the miraculous beam dates to the early 12th century. The story is that a beam was found to have been cut too short when it was hoisted into place. This would have been embarrassing for the carpenters since the wood was expensive and would be difficult to replace. There was however a mysterious carpenter who had worked and eaten alone. The day following the discovery, when the carpenters returned they found the beam was in place and it now fitted. The unknown carpenter was never seen again, and the story came to be that it was Jesus Christ who had intervened. The church became Christ’s Church of Twynham in commemoration of the event. In time the town became Twynham-Christchurch and eventually shortened to Christchurch. The beam can be seen today and is located in the Priory’s Ambulatory.

Another fascinating feature is the misericords – carved wooden seats situated in the Great Quire where the monks carried out their daily worship. They date from three periods: 1250, 1350 and 1515. They show a mixture of mythological and folklore scenes, some of which appear to have been derived from Aesops fables. There are also some showing religious iconography, such as the emblems of St Mark and St Matthew.

Also to be seen here is the Jesse reredos behind the high altar.

The Lady Chapel has a very beautiful stained glass window depicting events from the early life of the Virgin Mary.

During the summer months you can visit The Tower- 15th century bell tower – by climbing a spiral staircase of 176 steps which has amazing views across the surrounding country side. This I must do and also to visit the St Michaels Loft Museum which is situated over the Lady Chapel and was once a school for novice monks that now shows some of the life of the priory.

The dissolution of course affected The Priory – excerpt from Wikepedia –

“On 28 November 1539, John Draper the last prior of Christchurch, surrendered the priory, and it was dissolved. Prior Draper was granted a pension of £133-6s-8d and the use of Somerford Grange for life.

The conventual buildings of the priory were pulled down soon after the dissolution. The King had intended to demolish the church as well as the conventual buildings, but in response to a plea from the townspeople, supported by Prior Draper, he granted it, together with the churchyard, to the churchwardens and inhabitants of Christchurch to be used as the parish church in perpetuity on 23 October 1540, a grant that was confirmed on 12 February 1612 by James I.

After the Dissolution a corporation known as ‘The Sixteen’ was formed which became responsible for the temporal and ecclesiastical affairs of the parish, with the vicar and churchwardens being the principal officers.

In 1788 Gustavus Brander gave the priory a pipe organ, which was installed on the quire screen. It was removed in 1848.

In 1819 lath and plaster vaulting was installed in the nave, but a year later the vaulting of the south transept was found to be unsafe and had to be dismantled. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries extensive repairs were carried out.”

Other pictures from todays visit: