Monument record MDO7634 - Church of the Cluniac Priory, East Holme

The Church of the Cluniac Priory continued in use as the parish church after the Dissolution. It was pulled down in 1746. The chancel arch was re-erected in the chapel at Creech Grange and the present parish church includes in its fabric some worked stone from the Priory church.

The church of the Cluniac Priory at East Holme stood about 150 yards (137 m) to the west of the present Church of St John the Evangelist. The Priory, a cell of Montacute Abbey, was founded in the mid 12th century, or perhaps as early 1107AD. After the Dissolution the church continued in parochial use until 1715. Parts of it stood until pulled down in 1746, when the chancel arch was re-erected in the Chapel at Creech Grange. The walls of the present church include some worked stone from the Priory Church and there are 13th and 14th century moulded stone fragments and two 13th century Purbeck Marble coffin lids in the churchyard, which probably also came from the Priory Church. (1-2)

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 132 (Monograph). SDO150.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Records, SY 88 NE 29 (Index). SDO131.

Centred SY 89638592) Holme Priory on site of (NAT) Cluniac Priory (NR) (founded circa AD 1107) (NAT) (1)

The priory of Holme or Holne, a cell of the Cluniac Priory of Montacute, Somerset, was founded towards the middle of the 12th century by Robert de Lincoln (2) although Grahame gives a date of circa 1107 (a). The priory cell was intended to maintain thirteen monks but the endowments apparently proved insufficient; there was a prior with two monks in 1279. The cell was dissolved on the surrender of Montacute Priory in 1539.

Holme Priory House of two storeys with attics and cellars has walls rendered in stucco, and stands on the site of the Cluniac Priory. A small building now forming part of the kitchen (north)wing was built in the late 16th century probably reusing material from the former priory. Grade 2. (2-5)


( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date) OS 6" 1963
( 2) edited by William Page, F.S.A. 1908 The Victoria history of the county of Dorset : volume two The Victoria history of the counties of England Page(s)80-2
( 3a) Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments
( 3) by David Knowles and R Neville Hadcock 1971 Medieval religious houses in England and Wales Page(s)99
( 4) Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) 1970 An inventory of historical monuments in the County of Dorset. Volume two : south-east [in three parts] Page(s)132
( 5) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest DOE (HHR) Wareham and Purbeck RD Jan 1952 23

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:51PM