The building of St Peters Church, Dorchester, Dorset, largely dates from the mid fifteenth century, significantly restored in 1856-7 by J Hicks.
The building of St Peters Church, Dorchester, Dorset, largely dates from the mid fifteenth century, significantly restored in 1856-7 by J Hicks, and pupil Thomas Hardy, more well known as the famous novelist. There are some signs of an earlier building dating from Norman times, and the site may originally have been that of a Roman temple. The South (Hardy) chapel have two effigies of knights, dating from the 14th century, probably brought to St Peter's at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The organ moved to the North chapel around 1900, previously being located to the rear, but prior to 1857 was thought to be in the West end gallery, which was removed during the restoration work. The North chapel was known as the Williams chapel as it had previously been occupied by the memorial (1617) to Sir John Williams of Herringston, and his wife. This memorial was moved to the Eastern end, rotated, and elevated to accommodate the organ, and so it is now difficult to view. At the West end of the North aisle is a memorial to Denzel, Lord Holles (1699). He was one of the 's who restrained the Speaker in the House of Commons in 1629, when motions critical of Charles I were passed, for which he was sent into exile. The reredos depicts the Last Supper, commemorating the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, well known for his campaigning for the abolition of child labour in factories, and women working underground in mines. He also campaigned for more humane treatment of the mentally ill. "Behold I stand at the door and knock". To the right of the 1898 West window, "Behold I stand at the door and knock", is the pulpit, and to the right the Lectern, both finely carved. Outside is a statue to Revd William Barnes, a Dorset Dialect poet, who led the 1856 renovation. Revd John White was Rector of Holy Trinity and St Peter's churches from 1606 to 1648, and closely linked to the founding of the USA. He had sympathised with the struggles of the Puritans for freedom of worship and was involved with
Size: 4474px × 7000px
Location: Dorchester, Dorset, UK
Photo credit: © Philip Chapman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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