St. Aldhelm's Chapel, St. Aldhelm's Head facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Aldhelm's Chapel |
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St Aldhelm's Chapel (2005)
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 St Aldhelm's Chapel
Location in Dorset
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| 50°34′47″N 2°03′24″W / 50.5797°N 2.0568°W | |
| Location | St Aldhelm's Head, Dorset |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 13th century |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I Listed building |
| Designated | 18 March 1955 |
| Style | Norman |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Worth Matravers |
| Diocese | Diocese of Salisbury |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Aldhelm's Chapel is a very old church building located on St Aldhelm's Head in Dorset, England. It's a Norman chapel, meaning it was built in the style popular after the Normans came to England. This historic chapel stands high up on the cliffs, about 108 meters (354 feet) above the sea. It is a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historical site that needs to be protected.
About St Aldhelm's Chapel
This stone chapel has a unique square shape. It sits inside a low, round earthwork, which might be the remains of an even older Christian area from before the Norman Conquest. The chapel's corners point towards the main directions: north, south, east, and west. Inside, a large central column divides the space. This design is quite unusual for a chapel.
What Was Its Original Purpose?
It's interesting because the chapel doesn't have clear signs of being built just for church services, like an altar (a special table for religious ceremonies). Some people think it might have first been a watchtower for Corfe Castle. From here, guards could watch the sea for approaching ships. However, records from the 1200s show that a chaplain (a priest) was paid to work there. This suggests it was used as a chapel by then.
Inside the Chapel
The inside of the chapel is about 7.7 meters (25 feet) square. In the middle, a square pillar supports four arched ceilings, called groin vaults. These vaults have heavy ribs that connect to other arches. There's a round-arched doorway on the north-west side, which is typical of Norman buildings. A small window next to the door is from the same time period. The roof of the chapel now has a stone cross that was put there in 1873. Some evidence from repairs in the 1900s suggests the roof might have once had a beacon (a light or fire) on top.
The Mystery Grave Nearby
In 1957, a large stone slab was found in a field not far from the chapel. It was about 2 meters (6.5 feet) long and carved with a Celtic cross. Underneath this slab was a grave with the skeleton of a woman, estimated to be 30 to 40 years old. Her arms were crossed, and she was placed within a row of upright stones. This grave is thought to be from the late 1200s. The stone slab is now kept at St Nicholas' Church in Worth Matravers.
History of the Chapel
The chapel is first mentioned in official papers during the time of King Henry III (who ruled from 1216 to 1272). At that time, a chaplain was paid to serve both St Aldhelm's Chapel and a chapel in Corfe Castle. In 1291, the chapel's area was valued for tax purposes, but by 1428, it was described as having no people living there.
Changes Over the Centuries
In 1625, a surveyor named Thomas Gerard said the chapel was used as a sea-marke, which means it helped sailors find their way. You can still see dates and initials carved into the central column from the 1600s. This shows people still visited, even though the chapel was starting to fall apart. There's even a hole in the column that young girls used to drop pins or hairpins into to make wishes!
The chapel likely stopped being used regularly before 1625. By 1797, parts of its roof had fallen in. In the early 1800s, local landowners became interested in fixing it. The 1st Earl of Eldon bought the land and ordered some repairs, but major work didn't happen right away.
Reopening and Festivities
During the 1800s, local landowners carried out more repairs. The chapel was finally reopened for church services in 1874. People used to have special celebrations there, especially on Whit Thursday. Villagers from Worth Matravers would walk to the Head with music, decorate the chapel with flags and flowers, and dance. The chapel was also used as a storage place for the coastguards at one point.
In 1873, the chapel was rebuilt, with the 3rd Earl of Eldon paying for the costs. He also gave a new baptismal font (a basin for baptisms). A special service was held on July 18, 1874, to celebrate the reopening. After this, regular services were held on Sunday evenings. Coastguards and their families, who lived in nearby cottages, often attended these services.
Modern Times
By the 1930s, the inside of the chapel became very damp. An organ used for services had to be stored elsewhere when not in use. Services were held about every two weeks. At one point, a gate and fence were put up to stop cows from getting inside, but these were removed in 1963.
In November 1965, the Encombe Estate gave the chapel to the Worth Matravers Parochial Church Council. The Council raised money from donations and carried out more repairs. In 2000, the old earthworks around the chapel were made a Scheduled Monument, meaning they are protected by law.
In 2005, a new altar table was made from local stone. This was part of celebrations for the 1,300th anniversary of St. Aldhelm becoming a Bishop. The new altar was blessed on June 4, 2005, by Rowan Williams, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time.
Images for kids
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St Aldhelm's Head Chapel interior view
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St Aldhelm's Head Chapel interior view
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St Aldhelm's Head Chapel interior view
