Christchurch Priory

In 1094 Ranulf Flambard demolished the Saxon church that had stood on this site for nearly four centuries, and began building his great priory church. Using stone from the Isle of Wight, the main body of the church was completed by 1150, coinciding with the establishment of a community of Augustinian Canons in this little Dorset town. Renowned as an architectural splendour, the church was dedicated to Christ, and the town became known as Christchurch. Still very much a part of the modern day community, Christchurch Priory is the longest parish church in Britain.

For almost 400 years Christchurch Priory thrived, receiving financial support from kings, wealthy patrons and ordinary folk who came to worship at this magnificent church. By the generosity of these people, the church continued to develop around the Norman fabric. In 1320 a choir screen was installed to separate the monks' church from the parish church but this was severely damaged at the time of the Reformation. Forty years later the great reredos was added at the head of the monks' church, an elaborate stone screen with beautiful carvings to illustrate the Christian doctrine. The 'Jesse Screen' has survived remarkably well, although several of the painted statues that once filled the niches have been lost.

By the end of the 14th Century a Lady Chapel had been built at the east end of the church. This vaulted chapel contains a Purbeck marble altar, a wonderful stone reredos dating from mid 15th Century, and a colourful stained glass window. The final major building project was the construction of the west tower in 1480. This was built to replace the central tower that collapsed during a severe storm in 1420. Throughout its life as a monastery it seems to have enjoyed a peaceful existence, but this seemingly idyllic life for the 18 canons came to an end in 1539 with the Dissolution. With his usual heavy handed treatment, King Henry demanded the complete demolition of the monastic buildings, but the last prior pleaded with him to spare the priory church. The parishioners of Christchurch were indebted to John Draper for this act, and he is duly remembered by the chantry at the end of the south choir aisle.

Christchurch Priory is not only memorable as a superb example of Norman ecclesiastical architecture, but also for the Saxon crypts beneath the transepts, and a unique legend told about the 'miraculous beam'. This massive old roof timber can be seen above the ambulatory but it was once the main beam spanning the nave, and the story surrounding it resulted in the high altar being dedicated to Christ. Apparently a very skilled carpenter had been working on the roof, but nobody had seen this mysterious man, and he never turned up to collect his pay. The mystery deepened when, struck by the disastrous discovery that a main beam had been cut too short, the other carpenters were amazed to find it had been fitted in the correct place overnight. In their relief and joy that this problem had been miraculously overcome, the craftsmen agreed that the 'extra' carpenter must have been Christ.