Christchurch Priory

Christchurch Priory is over 900 years old, but still in great shape. Located in the town centre with beautiful riverside walks around it, it is a super building to wander round especially if you are after a moment of quiet, contemplative tranquility. There is a great deal of history attached to the church and several fascinating stories, not least one relating to the ‘miraculous beam’. You can see a beam up in the rafters that folklore says was cut too short during construction. The carpenters left for the night, but not before one noticed a stranger heading towards the beam. The next day the same carpenters found the beam spanning the gap at the correct length and the story continues that the stranger must have been Jesus Christ, hence Christ’s Church. When considering a visit, check to see if you can climb the stpes of the tower for wonderful views over the town.

As you walk towards the priory along the path, it really shows an awesome spiritual presence and history. It is a very popular for weddings, throughout the summer, there is hardly a weekend that goes by without a wedding. If you visit it, it is well staffed with knowledgeable people to give you a tour or answer any questions you may have. I had my graduation in this church and will be one I remember always.

I lived in Christchurch till I was 29 and Christchurch Priory is by far the nicest church I have ever been in. Well worth an hour of your time if you find yourself down this way.

We arrived at the Priory at the same time as a bride! We weren’t able to go in this time.
A church has existed on this site since 800AD. In 1094 a Priory was built by Ranulph Flambard.
It is by repute the longest Parish Church in England. Simon Jenkin’s book ‘A Thousand Best Churches describes the Priory as ‘one of the least appreciated of Grand Churches’.
The Anglo-​Saxon Chronicles record that in 634AD Birinus, a missionary priest sent by Pope Honorius landed in Britain, and in 635 baptised King Cynegils of Wessex a Christian. It is thought he may have founded a Saxon Prory at thuinam for his work in this part of the country. Thuinus was a fine harbour at the confluence of the Rivers Stour and Avon.
There is no specific evidence of this, but it is reasonably certain that Thuinam was of sufficient importance to be listed by Alfred the Great as a fortified borough. The Domeday survey of 1086 records that there was a Priory of 24 secular canons here in the reign of King Edward the Confessor (1042 – 1066).
In 1094, Ranulf Flambard, a chief minister of William II (Rufus) began to build a Norman church on the site of the Priory.
So let us hope that the marriage last Friday will do justice to the length of time this place of worship has stood here