FAQs

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How old is Christchurch Priory?

The building of the current church was begun in 1094 by the then Dean of Twynham, Ranulf Flambard.  In the following centuries work on the church continued and by about 1530 the church looked much as it does today. The monastic outbuildings of the Priory were pulled down soon after the dissolution of the monasteries. Christchurch Priory is a Grade I listed building.

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What is a Priory?

Historically, a priory was a monastic community of men or women, who had taken religious vows; the community was headed by a prior or prioress. When Christchurch Priory was first built its community was not linked to any of the great religious orders (eg Dominicans, Augustinians, Franciscans, Carmelites or Benedictines). In the middle of the 12th century, Christchurch Priory became an Augustinian foundation, which it remained until the Reformation.

 

Where does Christchurch Priory fit in the structures of the Church of England?

Christchurch Priory, and the wider parish of Christchurch, is part of the Diocese of Winchester. It is also a member of the Major Churches Network, a group of Church of England parish churches defined as: having exceptional significance; being physically very large (over 1000m square footprint); listed as Grade I, II* (or exceptionally II); open to visitors daily; having a role or roles beyond those of a typical parish church; and making a considerable civic, cultural, and economic contribution to their community.

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Who owns the Priory Church?

On 23 October 1540, King Henry VIII granted The Priory church, together with the churchyard, to the townspeople of Christchurch and the churchwardens to be used as the parish church in perpetuity. This grant was confirmed on 12 February 1612 by King James I. The PCC (see below) are responsible for the financial affairs of the parish and the maintenance of its churches. The PCC also assists the clergy in the management of church affairs and promoting the mission of the church.

 

How is the parish funded?

The parish of Christchurch receives no funding from the Church of England, nor from the Government. Like every parish, it has to rely on its own income generation: from planned giving by the congregation; donations from visitors and pilgrims; legacies and bequests; and through commercial activities. From this income, the parish pays a six-figure annual contribution to the Diocese of Winchester through the Common Mission Fund: some of this goes to the national Church.

 

GLOSSARY

 

Cloister         Originally, the cloister was where the monastic community could walk or take exercise during the day. It was square in shape and often included formal gardens. Christchurch Priory’s cloister was located roughly where the Priory House Car Park now stands.  In many monastic settings, including Christchurch Priory, the Cloister Garth was the central courtyard which was surrounded by the cloisters. The Cloister Garth was traditionally an open space, often decorated with a garden or lawn.

 

Lady Chapel   A chapel, traditionally at the East end of a cathedral or church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Priory the Lady Chapel is used every week for midweek Communion services and at other times for some weddings, marriage blessings and funerals.

 

Nave             The nave is main body of the church, which is set apart for the people (as opposed to the clergy and choir). The term nave derives from the Latin navis, meaning ‘ship’. ‘Nave’ may have been chosen because the ship had been adopted as a symbol of the Church; or, particularly in Gothic architecture, that if one imagines a nave turned upside down it would resemble a ship.

 

PCC              The Parochial Church Council. Every CofE parish has a Parochial Church Council, whose members include the clergy, churchwardens, elected deanery synod members and directly elected PCC members. The latter serve for a three-year term. PCC members are trustees of the parish, which is a registered charity.

 

Tithe Map      A tithe map is the name given to a map of an English or Welsh parish or township, prepared following the Tithe Commutation Act 1836. The tithe map in the Priory Museum dates from 1842.

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