Listed Building record MDO17800 - Parish Church of the Holy Rood, Church Lane, Wool

Parish church. 13th century origin, enlarged in 15th century. Enlarged again and part rebuilt in 19th century. Stone walls, roofs part tiled, part lead-covered. Parapets to gables, with stone copings. Nave, north and south aisles of four bays, chancel with vestry on north, north porch, west tower.

Parish Church of Holy Rood, Wool built of rubble with freestone dressings has two 13th century middle arches in the north arcade of the nave. The north aisle was rebuilt and extended west in the 15th century presumably, in part, on the 13th century foundations of the north wall since the aisle is so narrow; the west tower was also added at the same time. Much rebuilding was made circa 1865, including the extension of the nave and rebuilding of the chancel. <3>

Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1899, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club, xxxix-xl (Serial). SDO13.

At about 11.45 the party drove on 7 miles through Moreton to Wool Church, where they were received by Rev. A. C. B. Dobie, the Vicar, who gave a short history and description of the building, and drew attention to its most interesting features. There was evidence that the present building was not the first on that site, for in 1865, when workmen were engaged in digging the foundations for the south aisle, they came upon the foundation of an earlier church. The earlier church, according to Hutchins, consisted only of a nave, for the chancel and tower were added later, about 1450. Wool church was a parochial chapel belonging to Coombe Keynes. During the 13th century it was rebuilt. In 1384 it was decreed that Wool chapel should be dedicated for the third time, and since then, with its mother church at Coombe, it had been dedicated to Holy Hood. From the middle of the 15th century till 1865 the church consisted of a small chancel, nave, tower, and north arcade. In 1865 a faculty was issued to pull down the body and the chancel, with the exception of the tower and north and east walls of the nave, and to build a south aisle. The result was the church as we see it now. This extension included the old burial place of the Turbervilles, of Wool Bridge. Where the organ now stands there was a small chapel called Bindon Chapel. The special feature of Wool church is undoubtedly the triple chancel arch, or rather the chancel arch tri-sected, the effect of which is pleasing and almost unique. It appears to be a stone screen with three equal bays, the arches being supported by two slender columns. The tympanum is plain, with no trace of sculpture or fresco.
The screen dates from the middle of the 13th century. Mr. Dobie added that he hoped some day to have the heavy stone pulpit removed and replaced by a light wooden one, more to the side of the church, to allow the screen to be seen better. The font is an excellent specimen of 15th century work. The two old arches on the north of the nave, about 1250 in date, have been much admired. There are four bells, and it is popularly believed, according to the doggerel couplet, that they were stolen from Bindon Abbey at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It is said that Bindon Abbey had twelve bells, and that eight were taken to Fordington St. George Church by "Fordington rogues" and the other four hung in Wool church tower. But Mr. Dobie pointed out that the two earliest bells of the four bear dates 60 years later than the Dissolution. If it was suggested to meet this difficulty that the bells were re-cast he would reply that it was strange that they should have been re- cast at different dates, instead of all at one time. He preferred to think that the bells were given from time to time by pious parishioners who recognised the need of the church and wished to supply it.
Mr. Dobie had brought out the Communion silver for the Club to see. There is a silver Elizabethan chalice with the cover engraved with the date 1571. This cover also served as a paten. Another interesting silver chalice, of pre Reformation date (figured in "Cripps' Old English Plate"), belonged to the church at Coombe. He also called attention to a cresset stone placed by the font, made of Purbeck marble, rectangular in shape, and pierced with four holes. This, he said, was in almost as good condition as when finished by mediaeval workmen. In conclusion Mr. Dobie observed that they had revived the old-fashioned custom of going up to the mother church at Coombe Keynes once a year, and on the afternoon of the Fourth Sunday in Lent a large body of pilgrims made their way thither.

Le Pard, Gordon, 1998, Medieval sundials in Dorset. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society 119, 85 (Article in serial). SDO21411.

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1930 (Map). SWX1540.

(SY 84758646) Holy Rood Church (NAT)

<2> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OP24690 (Index). SDO14738.

A view of Holy Rood Church, Wool, from the south. This print was received from the Dorset County Museum in 1967.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 2, 402-3 (Monograph). SDO149.

<4> Newman, J, and Pevsner, N, 1972, The Buildings of England: Dorset, 495 (Monograph). SWX1290.

<5> Emden, A B, 1977, Medieval Decorated Tiles in Dorset (Monograph). SDO13180.

<6> Trevarthen, M, 2012, Church of the Holy Rood, Church Lane, Wool, Dorset. Archaeological Observations and Recording during Construction of new Toilet and Store, September-October 2012 (Unpublished document). SDO15029.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 455342 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 11 2025 10:55AM