Christ Church From (1847-1897)
Links to: Baptisms 1847-1880: 1881-1882: Banns 1847-1882: Marriages 1847-1887The Rev. Henry MOULE the Vicar of St Georges Church in Fordington was also appointed by the War Office as Chaplin to the troops in Dorchester Barracks, which is where the current Dorset History Centre is now situated. In 1845 he wrote a book called “Barrack Sermons”. This sold so well he was able to use the royalties to build a church for the troops in West Fordington, which he named Christ Church.
Christchurch West Fordington c 1870 - Demolished 1933
©Picture kind permission of Dorset County Museum
Extract from Ordnance Survey Map of Dorchester - 1886
The following Ministers served at Christ Church
Rev. Augustus Bernard HANDLEY BA - served at Christ Church from 1847 to 1859 
He was a great friend of The Rev Henry Moule and a Captain in the 1st Kings Dragoon Guards. He was born in Bombay on 12th August 1803 the 2nd son of Augustus William Handley and his wife Anatolia, but baptised back in England in Rochester Cathedral on the 19th October 1810. He was educated at Queens College Oxford where he matriculated on 9th May 1821 and obtained his BA in 1825. He became a student of the Inner temple that year and married Jane Matilda HAY the youngest daughter of Lieutenant General HAY KCB who was Lieutenant Governor of Edinburgh Castle at Bredisholm Lanarkshire on 29th May 1828. Augustus was in Fordington as early as 1835 as Henry buried his 5 year old eldest son Charles Augustus Handley in St Georges churchyard in that year. He was ordained a deacon in 1839 by the Bishop of Bath & Wells and made a priest later that year under Henry's Ministry, carrying out a number of baptisms, burials and marriages at St Georges Church as an officiating minister in the 1840's. Henry named one of his own sons Handley after him in 1841. He was made the first incumbent of Christ Church in West Fordington, serving there from 1847 to 1859 when he was reassigned to the Vicarage at Alton Pancras. He undertook his last official engagement at Christ Church on 27th Feb 1859.Jane his 1st wife died at West Fordington and was buried at St Georges Church on 23rd January 1849 having provided him with the following 8 children. (1) Charles Augustus Handley born 2 Mar 1829 died 5 Jan 1835, buried Fordington 10 January; (2) Louisa Grace Handley born Feb 1831 died a spinster 12 Apr 1918 Clifton Gloucestershire; (3) Henry Douglas Handley born Sep 1833 , died 18 Oct 1844 & buried by Henry Moule in Fordington 24 Oct 1844; (4) James William Handley born 4 Sep 1836 in Ayr. he had a distinguished career as a barrister in India and retired as a Puisne Judge of the High Court of Madras; (5) Augustus Mourant Hay Handley, baptised in Fordington 30 Dec 1838, died 27 February 1906; (6) Jane Frances Handley, born c1840; married Alfred Marwood Elton in 1865; (7) Arthur Henry Handley, born April 22, 1842; died 7 July 1895 in San Antonio, Texas; married Margaret Maria Mayer 31 December 1865 in Bangalore, India. (8) Edward Handley, baptised Fordington 28 July 1844; died 18th and buried Fordington 21st May 1845.
Augustus was married for a second time on 19th December 1850 in St Georges church Fordington by his friend of 25 years standing the Rev Henry Moule to Elizabeth Georgina Campbell(1810-1860) the daughter of the Rev Daniel Campbell. He served at Alton Pancras from 1859 to 1864. His 2nd wife died there but was returned to Fordington for burial in St Georges graveyard on 25th July 1860. Augustus moved again in 1864 to become the Rector of Fisherton Anger in Wiltshire and on 29th June that year he married for a third time at Broadwater in Sussex to Jane the widow of Thomas Webb Gilbert. His final move was as Rector of Blaisdon Rectory in Gloucestershire where he died on 13th April 1877.
Rev Henry THOMAS (1813-1859) MA - Served at Christ Church between April and June 1859
The son of Seth Thomas who may have been in the British Army he was baptised at Old St Pancras in London with 2 of his siblings on 15th March 1813. He married Dorothy DEALTRY at Fort William in Bengal India on 19th December 1843 and they had 2 children in Calcutta before moving to Africa and then returning to Hounslow in London. Being abroad so much it is difficult to locate his career in the church and I think that this is because he may have been a Missionary with the CMS as were several sons of the Rev Henry Moule. He appears to have taken over from the Rev. Handley in April 1859 and managed to carry out five baptisms in Christchurch, the last being on 24th June that year. He died aged 46 on 6th and was buried in St Georges Church in Fordington on 9th July 1859, so the Rev Henry Moule stepped into the breach until his replacement, The Rev Edward Hall, arrived in November that year. He left an estate of £800 to his widow Dorothy who was living at 28 High West Street in Dorchester in 1861 with her children before moving to settle in Hampshire.
Rev. Edward Moorhouse HALL (1793-1880) MA - served at Christ Church from 1859 to 1860.
Born about 1793 he was the son of David Hall Gentleman of Shipton in Craven in Yorkshire. He was educated at Oxfords Lincoln College where he matriculated on 9th April 1813 at the age of 20. He obtained his BA in 1816 and an MA in 1819. He then married Mary Anne Swainson in Halifax on 8th February 1820. She died and he remarried to a Mary Anne Smith in Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire on 15th February 1832. He was the incumbent of Corringham and Idle from 1830 to 1857 and although he never lived there additionally Rector of the Church of St Mary at Rufford from 1835 to 1843. He served at West Fordington from 1859 to 1861 when he moved to live at his house and 2 acres of land at Oaklands Villa in Littleover in Derbyshire which was sold in 1865. He died at the age of 87 in Shardlow Derbyshire about May 1880.
Rev Charles James BIRD (1830-1908) MA - served at Christ Church from 1861 to 1872.
He was born on 25th Feb 1830 in Burghfield Berkshire the son of Charles Smith BIRD and his wife Margaret. He was educated at Trinity College Cambridge where he matriculated in 1849 being awarded his BA in 1853. He joined the church and was ordained a deacon in 1854 serving as a priest at Chichester the following year. He obtained his MA in 1856 serving as curate at Ramsgate and then Margate in 1859. During his stay in Ramsgate he met his first wife Mary HANSON whom he married in 1856. They had 2 sons Ashley born in 1857 and Oswald born in 1859. Mary died on 26th April 1859 leaving him with 2 very young children. Charles soon remarried (on 12th February 1860 at Ramsgate) to Caroline Vidler the youngest daughter of R.B. CAY Esq.
In 1861, when he was 31 and his second wife was aged 23, he was appointed perpetual Curate to West Fordington. They had six more children born during his incumbency in West Fordington and by 1871 he is described as the vicar and was teaching three teenage boys in preparation for university. They had 4 servants with them at the parsonage which was situated on the north side of Christ Church between the Royal Horse Artillery Barracks and "The Grove". He resigned his “living” as vicar on a matter of principal over the “Bennett judgement” on 3rd November 1872. After leaving West Fordington he had 2 further children born at Clevedon and became an assistant master at the Bristol Grammar School until about 1882. He retired to Knypersley Hall near Congleton Cheshire where he died at the age of 77 on 12th Jan 1908.
Rev William Cook OSBORN (1815-1880) MA - served Christ Church from 1873 to 1880
Born about 1815 he was educated at St Johns Cambridge which he entered in 1835 obtaining his BA in 1839 and his MA in 1846. He was ordained Deacon 22 Sep 1839 and served as a priest (Bath and Wells) in 1840. He married Mary Anne the daughter of George Bland YOUNG of Broadchalke Wiltshire before becoming a curate at Melksham in 1842. He was appointed Chaplain to the new goal at Bath 1843-1872 and had a school in Bath in 1861 at South Hill House on Wells Road. He was Curate at Christ Church Trent Park Middlesex 1872-3 before becoming Vicar of West Fordington where he was appointed on 16th April 1873 and served until his death in the vicarage there on the 4th June 1880.
The Hon. Aubrey Richard SPRING RICE (1822-1897) MA - served Christ Church as Officiating Minister in 1880:- baptised in London on 15 Aug 1822 the son of Thomas [1st] Baron Monteagle by his 1st wife Lady Theodosia Pery. Attended private school in Middlesex. Admitted Trinity College Cambridge 1841; MA 1844 Ordained deacon Norwich 1846; Priest 1847; Curate of Great Yarmouth 1846-1848; Curate of Somerleyton Suffolk 1848--9; Curate of Sahay-Toney Norfolk 1849-52; Vicar of Netherbury with Solway Ash Dorset 1852-1877. Married 15th June 1852 to Anne MariaJane eldest daughter of Paulet St John Mildmay M.P. of Hazelgrove in Somerset. Served at Christchurch as Officiating Minister until Rev Sanctuary was appointed. Also Officiating Minister on occasions at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester 1883/5. Resided lately at "Sunnyside" Dorchester where he died s.p. Nov 29th 1897; Brother of Thomas CW (1837) William C 1842; Source OXA
Rev Charles Lloyd SANCTUARY (1854-1934) MA - served Christ Church from 1880 to 1889
The second son of the Rev. Thomas Sanctuary of Powerstock near Bridport in Dorset. Educated at Keble College Oxford where he matriculated on 14 Oct 1872 at the age of 18. Exhibitioner 1872-1876 he obtained his BA in 1876 and his MA in 1880 when he was appointed vicar of West Fordington in July of that year. He married Evangeline Hopgood TABOR at Stretham Hill on 17th July 1884 and they raised a family of 8 children. He left Dorchester in June 1889 to become the Vicar of Powerstock a much more lucrative appointment compared to the £300 p.a. he received at West Fordington in succession to his father the late Archdeacon of Dorset. He died 7th Jan 1934 at The Close Rodwell-Road Weymouth leaving an estate of £4,147.
Rev Eric James BODINGTON (1863-1929) MA - served as curate of Christ Church from 1886-1889
The son of Thomas Bodington J.P. for the County of Staffordshire; BA 1885; MA 1889. Ordained Sarum deacon 1886, Priest 1887. Curate of West Fordington 1886-1889; He Married Katharine Elizabeth Cavell 23rd Sep 1890 and served at Burghersdorp with St Cuthbert Molteno in Cape Colony South Africa 1890-1892; Vicar of Osmington 1894-1899; Pottarne 1899-1907. Died at The Close Salisbury in Wiltshire 25th Oct 1929 leaving an estate of £2154. 3s 9d to his widow
Rev. Charles Arthur Monk SMITH (1859 -1950 ) MA - served as curate of Christ Church from 1893-1896
First son of Charles Henry & Sarah Georgina SMITH of Risley Derbyshire (arm). He was baptised at Risley on 30th Nov 1859. A graduate of Kebel College Oxford where he matriculated 14th Oct 1879 aged 19.was awarded a BA Degree in 1882. MA 1887. Cudd. College 1883. Ordained a Deacon 1883 at Sarum; and priest in 1884 by Bishop Kelly for Sarum. Appointed Curate of West Fordington in 1883-1886; Upton w Chalvey 1886-7; Stewkley 1887-1890; Kemsing 1892-3; Vicar of Whorlton Co Durham 1893-1899; Chicheley 1899-1900; Curate of North Arreton Isle of Wight 1900-1902 where he lived with his wife Mildred Mary whom he married c1898 and was 12 years younger than him; Vicar of Soutlbury 1902-1909; Perm to Offic Dio Ely 1912-1914; Curate of Whitchurch Oxon 1915-1918; L Pr Dio Ox from 1918 Longdown Berks. He lived to the age of 90 and died in North West Surrey in March 1950
Rev. Charles Royland Haycock HILL (1850-1911) MA - served as Vicar of Christ Church from 1889 to 1894
The eldest son of Charles Hill he was educated at New College Oxford taking a second class moderations BA in 1871 and graduating with a 2nd class in Modern History in 1873 and an MA in 1876. He was ordained Deacon in 1875 and priest the following year in the diocese of Winchester. He was curate successively of St Peter; St Michael and St Stephen in Bournemouth. In 1883 he was appointed by Lord Ilchester to the rectory at Evershot with Frome St Quenton. Charles Hill was keenly interested in educational matters and married in 1884 to Ellen the second daughter of the Rt Hon. Edward B Wriottesley
before becoming Vicar of Christ Church in West Fordington in October 1889 and serving until 1894. He and his wife Ellen only had one son Walter Edward HILL born in 1892 who was killed in 1914 in the first world war. Charles then moved to Lyme Regis where he remained until 1898 when he became Rector of Holy Trinity in Dorchester. The Bishop collated him to a canonry in Salisbury Cathedral in 1901 and he had the rural deanery of Dorchester from 1908. He died and was buried in Dorchester Holy Trinity in July 1911.
Rev John Marshall COLLARD (1844-1917) MA - served as Vicar of Christ Church from 1894 to 1916
Born 16th July 1844 son of Rev John Marshall Collard he was educated at St John's College Cambridge. He matriculated in 1864 obtaining his BA in 1868 and an MA in 1871. He was a rowing blue in 1867 and ordained deacon in 1870. He was curate of Newbold-on-Avon 1870-1871 Vicar of Highmore Oxon 1871-1877, Curate of St Stephens Bournemouth 1890-1894. In November 1894 he then became vicar of Christ Church at West Fordington where he remained until 1916. He was also Chaplain to the Forces from 1894 and to Dorchester Prison 1910 to 1916. He was also Rural Dean of Dorchester 1912-1917 and prebendary of Salisbury 1913-1917. He died at Dorchester on 25th May 1917.
Christenings and marriages continued to be performed at Christ Church until 1924.
Links to: Monumental Inscriptions in the church and churchyard Church website
In 1895 a site at the Top O’Town was purchased for St Mary's, a chapel of ease and an iron church was erected there in 1897.
In 1907 parishioners raised a subscription to build a permanent church and an amazing row developed with the Bishop over its location. This was of sufficient magnitude to be reported in the Times Newspaper so I have copied the relevant articles below:-
Times 5th March 1907: Bishop refuses to sanction rebuilding on existing site
"The problem of the church extension at Dorchester, which has for years exercised the minds of the ecclesiastical authorities of the borough and diocese has just entered a new and most interesting phase. The vicar, churchwardens and parishioners of West Fordington an extra mural parish that has extended considerably of late years and now has a population of 2,800 are unanimous in their desire to build a new permanent church on a central and commanding site now occupied by the temporary church of timber and corrugated iron built 10 years ago"."But the Bishop of the diocese and the Archdeacon of Dorset ( The Ven. D.L. DUNDAS) advocate a readjustment of the ecclesiastical parishes of Dorchester and the erection of the proposed new church in some portion of the new district of on the South side of the town. The people of West Fordington do not at all approve of these proposals of their ecclesiastical superiors. The vicar of West Fordington ( Rev J. M. COLLARD) is now away from home on a visit to the Holy Land. In his absence the vicar of the parental parish of Fordington St George (Rev R. GROSVENOR BARTELOT) who is the patron of the benefice of West Fordington, presided over a crowded parochial meeting on Thursday night. at which strong resentment was expressed at what is considered to be the unjustified interference of the Bishop and Archdeacon in the affairs of the parish, and stout opposition to the proposed partition of the parish against the will of the parishioners. It was unanimously resolved with enthusiasm to build the new church on the old approved site, and a buildings committee was appointed and their duties defined. The action of the parish amounts to a direct defiance of the expressed wishes of the Bishop of Salisbury and the archdeacon of Dorset; but there is no doubt that the whole parish, and many beyond it cordially concur with the action of the public meeting".
Times 31st October 1907: Appeal rejected
"The conflict of opinion between the Bishop of Salisbury and the vicar and parishioners of West Fordington, Dorchester, as to the site for the proposed new church has reached an acute stage. For years past the parishioners of West Fordington, now one of the largest suburbs of Dorchester, have been preparing for the erection of a new church on the site of the present temporary structure. The land has been purchased and a considerable sum subscribed towards the building of a permanent church. The Bishop however , has refused to sanction building on the site proposed, on the grounds that it would increase the rivalry between the present parishes, there being already three churches in the main street where the proposed site is situated; also that it does not provide for the new districts that are growing up to the westward of the town". "The Vicar (the Rev. J.M.COLLARD) and the parishioners have expressed themselves strongly against interference with a long cherished scheme, and the vicar has appealed to the Bishop to meet a deputation from the parish. The Bishop has replied restating his objections and in his letter to the vicar says:- “It is impossible for me to let other considerations outweigh the considerations of my duty towards the town and the necessary economy of the church funds and powers which that duty suggests. I cannot in fact treat your parish or encourage you to treat it, as separate from the rest. Your duty seems to me to frame a scheme for redistribution of areas of church building where population requires it in concert with your brother clergy and under the presidency of the archdeacon".
Times 12th June 1908: Report of the Commission - resignation and loss of chaplainry
"A Commission appointed by the Bishop of Salisbury has sat at Dorchester to consider the proposed rearrangement of the parochial boundaries. The Commission was rendered necessary owing to a scheme which has for some time been in progress for erecting a new church for West Fordington. The parishioners of that part of town have been working with extraordinary enthusiasm in the direction, and have not only purchased the site on which the present temporary church stands, but have a large sum in hand for the erection of a permanent building. The Bishop however, has held strongly to the opinion that, attractive as the site was, the new church should be placed more to the South, in order to provide for the new suburban district which has sprung up there. A good deal of feeling has been aroused, and the parishioners as a body have expressed the determination not to give up their favourite site. An unexpected development has now taken place, the commission which has met having decided to recommend a general scheme of parochial redistribution". "The effect of this will be that, while St Peter’s and All Saints parishes will remain unaltered, Holy Trinity will absorb a large portion of West Fordington and the latter will take a part of East Fordington. The proposals involve the erection of a new church in the heart of the rearranged West Fordington Parish. Much indignation has been caused among the parishioners of West Fordington and Dr COSSENS one of the churchwardens has resigned his seat on the church council as a protest against what he calls in his letter to the vicar (Rev. J.M.COLLARD) “The disastrous policy pursued by an ecclesiastical coterie” The vicar, who has up to now strongly stood by the parochial scheme, has signified his acquiescence in the scheme of the Commission, which will involve among other consequences, the loss to him of £80 a year as chaplain to the barracks".
Times 4th February 1910: Settlement
The difficulty between the vicar and parishioners of West Fordington Dorchester and the Bishop of the diocese in regard to the site of their proposed new church is now considered settled. The vicar (the Rev. J.M.COLLARD) has fallen in completely with the desire of the Bishop that the church should not be erected on the site of the present Church of St Mary, but should be placed in the large suburban district which has sprung up on the south western outskirts of the town. A suitable site has been given by Mr J FOOT of Dorchester in memory of his father and a sum of £4,500 has already been raised. at a parish meeting the vicar announced that the plans of the church had been passed by the Bishop and the Chancellor of the diocese and he appealed for the loyal support of the parishioners who were urged to forget their own wishes and to sacrifice their own interests if the advantage of the many demanded it.
Times 16th April 1910 - Foundation Stone Laid
Lord Shaftsbury lays the foundation stone of the new church of St Mary West Fordington Dorchester
Times 12th July 1912 - Dedication
St Mary’s West Fordington
The Bishop of Salisbury yesterday dedicated the church of St Mary West Fordington Dorchester which has been erected at a cost of £11,500. The controversy respecting the site of this church has been referred to more than once in the Times. The church is built of hard Swanage stone, mainly in the Transition Gothic style. The architect Mr PONTING of Marlborough has not however followed the style servilely and the result is a church of dignified dimensions and beauty of proportions as well as of detail.St Mary’s West Fordington
“Mass Cantata” was celebrated by the vicar (Rev. J. M. COLLARD) in full Eucharist vestments and the Bishop wore his cape and mitre. There was a procession with candles, incense and banners. At the luncheon that followed the Bishop referring to the movement for subdividing Sarum diocese and creating a diocese of Dorset, said he doubted if it would come in his lifetime.
Rev. Edward Granville PHILLIMORE (1876 - 1959) MA - Vicar of St Mary's from 1916 - 1926
The son of Admiral Sir Augustus PHILLIMORE KCB, DL he was born at Drogmore in Buckinghamshire 7th Sep 1876 and became a graduate of Keble College Oxford where he was awarded his BA Degree (3rd cl Modern History) in 1899 and his MA in 1929. He was ordained a deacon in 1900 and a priest in 1902. Served as Curate at St Saviours in Leeds 1900-1902; St Denys Southampton 1902-1905; St Clements Bournemouth 1905-1908; Wield 1908-1910; Binstead with Kingsley 1910-1911. He was then appointed Curate of St Mary's in West Fordington 1911-1916; Chaplain H.M.Prison Dorchester and Acting C.F. 1916-1922; He took over as Vicar of St Mary's in 1916 when Rev John Marshall COLLARD began to suffer from ill health and had to retire a position he retained until 1926. He married Mabel von Essen MOBERLY 14th July 1903 at South Stoneham in Hampshire and she provided him with 4 children before she died in 1911. Edward died 21st Apr 1959 at St Johns Tulse HillVentnor Isle of Wight.
Rev. Jasper MEAD (1890-1934) MA - Vicar of St Mary's from 1926 to 1934
Born in Willesden in Middlesex circa 1887 he was a graduate of Merton College Oxford where he was awarded a BA Degree (3rd Class Theology) in 1908. He then joined Cudd College the following year and obtained his MA degree in 1912. He was ordained a Deacon in 1910 and made a Priest in 1911. His first appointment was as curate at Bedminster in 1910 before being moved to St Paul's in Weymouth in 1912 to 1919. He married in Wyke Regis in Nov 1917 when his home parish was given as that of St Augustine South Kensington to Monica Elton GREY (1890-1971) and was appointed Vicar of Osmington where he served 1920-1926 before being appointed Vicar of St Mary's at West Fordington in 1926 where he continued to serve until his death. . He died in Dorchester Hospital on 8th January 1934 with his estate of £16,327 going to his widow.
Revd. David William Pritchard JENKINS (1918-1963) - Vicar of St Mary's from 1954 to 1963
He married at Sturminster in 2nd qtr 1949 to Kathleen Mary HEAD and died 14th Dec 1963 at the Southmead Hospital in Bristol with his estate of £1,126 going to his widow.
Additional Information:- Not researched but available at Dorset History Center Archive Ref PE/HAP/CW 6/25 --- Sketch and plan of Christ Church, West Fordington with a letter from Herbert Kendall, architect concerning the purchase, removal and rebuilding of the church at Ferndown Architect: Herbert Kendall, Poole Size: 570 mm 400 mm Scale: 1 in to 8 ft Tracing paper, pencil and colourwash date December 1931. Also under PE/HAP/CW 6/26 ---Plan of proposed re-erection of Christchurch, West Fordington at Ferndown Architect: Herbert Kendall, Poole Size: 420 mm 365 mm Scale: 1 in to 8 ft Tracing paper, pencil and colourwash