Monument record MWX769 - Chapel at Higher Ham, Hamworthy, Poole

A medieval chapel, dependent on Sturminster Marshall formerly stood in Higher Ham. It was demolished during the Civil War to provide material for the defences of Poole. It stood on the site of the 19th century St Michael's church in Hamworthy.

Hamworthy was a chapelry, tithing and hamlet in the parish of Sturminster Marshall. The medieval chapel, according to Hutchins, 'stood at the east end of Higher Ham, near the mansion house and appears to have been a small ancient fabric, consisting of a chancel, body and a small turret at the west end. It is 84 feet long by 17, and was ruined in the Civil Wars, and only the walls remain. The inhabitants bury in the chapel and chapel yard.' (1)

The chapel was partly demolished during the Civil War in order to provide material for the defences of Poole. (2)

The 1823 church was built on the same site as the earlier chapel. (3)

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1861, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 1, p360 (Monograph). SWX4496.

<2> Smith, H P, 1948, History of the Borough and County of the Town of Poole. Origins and Early Development (vol. 1), p193 (Monograph). SWX3200.

<3> Sydenham, J, 1839, The History of the Town and County of Poole, 458 (Monograph). SWX3575.

Record last edited

Jun 6 2024 5:04PM