Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

St Catherines Chapel
Hob Uid: 450552
Location : Dorset Abbotsbury
Grid Ref : SY5725308483
Summary : St Catherine's Chapel is situated to the west of St Peter's Abbey on a hill overlooking Abbotsbury. The chapel was constructed in the late 14th century on the crest of a hill now known as Chapel Hill and was commissioned by either Abbot Henry de Thorpe or Abbot William Cerne as a pilgrimage chapel. It is built of local stone with heavily buttressed walls and a stone barrel-vaulted ceiling. The building is rectangular with a north and south porch, and a projecting stair turret on the north-west angle. A roof of Clipsham stone slabs was fitted in 1983 to replace the original stone slabs. The hilltop situation of the chapel typifies the cult of St Catherine, who was widely venerated during the Middle Ages. The chapel was dissolved in 1539 and no longer used for regular ecclesiastical services. However, the structure continued to be maintained and formed a well known local landmark which was also visible from the coast. It may have been used as a chantry where masses were said for the souls of sailors since the beacon turret provides excellent views out to sea. Repairs were conducted in 1742 and in the late 19th century. The site is in the care of English Heritage.
More information : (SY 57258484) St Catherine's Chapel (NR) (1) The chapel was built by the Abbey of Abbotsbury late in the 14th century and is substantially unaltered. It was repaired in 1742 and late in the 19th century, and is now in the charge of the Ministry of Works. The building is rectangular, heavily buttressed, with a north and south porch, and a projecting stair turret on the north-west angle. (Full architectural details given). St Catherine's Chapel is now disused. Listed as especially worthy of preservation (2). (Similar information) (3). (2-3) Built mid 15th century and "intended no doubt as a Chantry where masses were said for the souls of sailors." (4) Description in Authy 2 correct. The east window alone retains some tracery. The chapel is situated on a commanding hill overlooking the sea and the turret in the NW angles was possibly used as a beacon tower which strongly suggests that the chapel was, in fact, a chantry for sailors. Well preserved. (5) SY 572848. St Catherines Chapel. Scheduled. (6) St Catherine's Chapel. Grade I. Rubble and ashlar with slate roof. It has an elaborate stone vaulted roof and north and south porches. Beacon turret. Plain parapet with embattled pinnacles rising from massive buttresses. C.15. A.M. In care of Ministry of Works. (7) Scheduled. (8) Listing ammended 1985. (9) Source 10 includes a brief accessible overview of the chapel for visitors. (10)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : 6" 1903
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Source Number : 2
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Shipp W and Hodson JW Ed. 1863. Hutchins History of Dorset
Page(s) : 721-2
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : Moule WS. Abbotsbury
Page(s) : 22
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 GCS 24-MAR-55
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Source Number : 6
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Page(s) : 80
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : Dorchester Rural District Oct 1951
Page(s) : 1
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : 12/06/1997
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Source Number : 9
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Source details : West Dorset 20/05/1985
Page(s) : 26
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Vol(s) : 442

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Page(s) : 36-37
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Constructed in late C14
Monument End Date : 1399
Monument Start Date : 1367
Monument Type : Chapel, Chantry Chapel
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Georgian
Display Date : Repaired in 1742
Monument End Date : 1742
Monument Start Date : 1742
Monument Type : Chapel
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Victorian
Display Date : Repaired in the late C19
Monument End Date : 1900
Monument Start Date : 1867
Monument Type : Chapel
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Late 20th Century
Display Date : Reroofed in 1983
Monument End Date : 1983
Monument Start Date : 1983
Monument Type : Chapel
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : DO 101
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 29045
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 105189
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : ViewFinder
External Cross Reference Number : NMR 4168/28
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : EH Property Number
External Cross Reference Number : 309
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SY 58 SE 2
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1955-03-24
End Date : 1955-03-24

Historic England Research Records

St Catherines Chapel