Listed Building record MDO39295 - Parish church of St Mary, Sturminster Marshall

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Summary

Parish church. 12th century, with 13th century extensions, 14th and 15th century changes, tower rebuilt 1805, and substantial restoration of 1859, by Henry Woodyer. Walls of ironstone rubble, with limestone dressings; plinth, stepped buttresses, hood-moulds. Tile roof. Continuous nave and chancel, with wide north aisle continuing into a chapel (with a small vestry of 1859 at its east end), south porch (mostly 1859), and west tower (the upper part of 1859). Norman font.

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

The church of Saint Mary of Sturminster Marshall was built in the 12th century, the north arcade being mainly of this date; in the 13th century the Chancel was extended eastwards. The North Aisle was also lengthened eastwards in the 13th century and again in the 14th century, probably by the addition of a wider chapel; the aisle itself was then rebuilt and widened in the late 15th century. In the 15th century too the south wall of the Nave was rebuilt. The west Tower was completely rebuilt in 1805 and was heightened during a general restoration in 1859 under Henry Woodyer, architect; at the same time the chancel and nave were refenestrated, a new arch was opened between chancel and north aisle, and north aisle was heightened, the Vestry built, and the south porch rebuilt. <1>


<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 2, 283-5 (Monograph). SDO149.

<2> Newman, J, and Pevsner, N, 1972, The Buildings of England: Dorset, 405-6 (Monograph). SWX1290.

<3> Historic England, Historic England Archive, OP24652 (Index). SDO14738.

A view of the sixteenth century chalice from St Mary's Church, Sturminster Marshall. This print was received from the Dorset County Museum in 1967.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 209589 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 2. 283-5.
  • <2> Monograph: Newman, J, and Pevsner, N. 1972. The Buildings of England: Dorset. 405-6.
  • <3> Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. OP24652.
  • <4> Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 209589.

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Location

Grid reference Centred ST 95120 00399 (34m by 22m)
Map sheet ST90SE
Civil Parish Sturminster Marshall; Dorset
Unitary Authority Dorset

Protected Status/Designation

Other Statuses/References

  • Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 3 021 001
  • Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: ST 90 SE 72
  • Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 209589
  • Royal Commission Inventory Reference: Sturminster Marshall 1

Record last edited

Apr 16 2025 2:39PM

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