Monument record MDO1310 - Chapel of St James, Lower Kingston Russell

A medieval chapel thought to have been somewhere in the vicinity of Lower Kingston Russell, though the exact location is not known. The chapel is known from historic documents to have been extant from 1308 to 1714, at least.

A free chapel dedicated to St James, near the higher end of the vill. Now only the walls remain and a few years since it was inhabited by poor people. The chapel consisted of a body, but no chancel, and is supposed to have been founded by the Russells during their residerence here, and endowed by them. Since the chapel was ruined the parishioners bury at Long Bredy. The chapel was officiated in about 60 years ago (i.e. circa 1714). The list of rectors starts at 1308. <1-2>

Mentioned by the Chantry Commision in 2 Edward VI, when it is called a free chapel dedicated to St James. <4>

There are no visible remains of this chapel. Its site falls within the corner of a grass covered field. <5>

John Baverstock Knight, land agent in the valley, wrote in the 19th century that "in 1811 the old milking barton was on the site of the Kingston chapel and chapel yard and I recollect seeing a small part, or rather indication of the ruin yet standing to mark the locality." <6>

The site of St James Chapel is shown by 18th century estate maps and other documentary evidence to have been some 70m to the south of the position shown on OS maps. The OS siting has always been suspect since it is only a few metres from the River Bride. <7>

National Record of the Historic Environment, 450264 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<1> Hutchins, J, 1774, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 1. 1st edition (Monograph). SWX2949.

<2> Hutchins, J, 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 2. 3rd edition (Monograph). SDO9443.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1903 (Map). SWX1540.

(SY 57228939) St James's Chapel (NR) (site of) (NAT)

<4> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1906, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club for 1906, 225 (Serial). SDO13029.

<5> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 12-APR-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<6> Bailey, C J, 1982, The Bride Valley : the story of the past, with photographs of the present (Monograph). SWX1298.

<7> Council for British Archaeology, 1983, Council for British Archaeology Group 12 Newsletter: October 1983, 9 (Serial). SDO19726.

Record last edited

Apr 11 2023 4:19PM