Monument record MDO46248 - Chapel of St Luke, Stirt, Burton Bradstock

Earthwork remains of a possible settlement and chapel site. The chapel was first documented in 1291, but was disused after 1547 when its revenues were removed by the Chantry Commissioners.

LOWER STURTHILL was once a manor and hamlet, the lords of the manor including the WROTHALE'S of WROXALL in the 14THC, and others who did not reside at this manor, but were patrons of the chapel. A free chapel, first mentioned in 1291, with a list of rectors which runs from 1298 to 1545. "It was dedicated to ST LUKE in 1502 but seems to have been neglected when [its] revenues .. were taken away by the chantry act, in 1547. The ruins of it still remaining in a close a little South-west [sic] of LOWER STURTHILL, show it to have been a small building "with 3 windows, a door on the N and S. and at the E. end. Traces of wall enclosing the chapel yard are visible. <1>

The field in which the chapel was situated was repeatedly ploughed many years ago by a farmer who later informed me that quantities of large slab-like stones were turned up. These were broken up and carted away. The field is no longer ploughed. <3>

B: Centred at SY 51659106. A: The field is grass covered. There is now no sign of a building platform, walling or other masonry at the site. B: In the two grass covered fields N. of the chapel are scarps and low broad banks on a S.E facing slope. Their condition is poor, but they seem to indicate the position of the Md. Hamlet, set just above a small N-S stream. No pottery or occupation debris was seen during investigation. <4>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2, 286 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1930 (Map). SWX1540.

[SY 51559094] ST LUKE'S CHAPEL [GT] (Site of)

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 06-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3.1> Butcher, Mr W, Oral: Mr W Butcher, Higher Sturthill, Shipton Gorge (Verbal communication). SDO19083.

<4> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F2 NVQ 06-MAY-66 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451349 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

May 3 2023 11:30AM