Holy Rood, Wool, Dorset

History

According to Hutchins in his History of Dorset, the church on this site consisted of only a nave, the chancel and tower were added later, about 1450.

The church was a parochial chapel belonging to Coombe Keynes until 1844 when Wool became a separate parish.

During the 13th century the church was rebuilt.

In 1384 it was decreed that Wool Chapel should be dedicated for the third time and since them with its Mother church at Coombe Keynes (made redundant 14th January 1974) it has been dedicated to Holy Rood.

From the middle of the 15th century, until 1865 the church consisted of a small chancel, nave, tower and north arcade. In 1865 a faculty was issued to pull down the body of the church and the chancel, with the exception of the tower and north and east walls of the nave, and to build a south aisle. The church was lengthened by 12 feet. The result was the church as we see it now. The extension included the ancient burial place of the Turbervilles of Wool Bridge. The architect was John Hicks of Dorchester.

Bindon Chapel

The small chapel in the north east corner is the Bindon Chapel which was larger than at present, as part of it was taken in when the Vestry was enlarged.

Triple arch

The special feature of the church is the triple chancel arch, which is probably unique. The tympanum is plain and the whole screen dates from the middle of the 14th century.

North Porch

The North Porch, although rebuilt in 1866, retains much of its 15th century appearance.

Windows

The windows are mainly 15th century and were re-used in the 15th century rebuilding.

Coombe windows

The stained glass windows on the north side were removed from Coombe Keynes church at the time of its redundancy.

Wool Font

The font and the two stone arches on the north side are 15th century.

Coombe Font

A font that, until recently, stood at the front south east side corner, was removed from Coombe Keynes after its redundancy and was regularly used for Baptisms. This font was originally thought to be Saxon but it would now appear to be 13th century.

Coombe stoup

The water stoup exhibited on the window sill was once fitted into the wall of Coombe Keynes church

Cresset

The cresset stone containing four receptacles in which wicks floating in oil were burnt before a shrine, is a fine example of mediaeval work, and was discovered during the rebuilding in 1866.

Flute

The flute was one of the instruments belonging to the church band, before the organ was introduced. The band would probably have played in the gallery, which in the 3rd edition of Hutchins was referred to as follows: "In 1852 the interior arrangement of the church was improved by the removal of the singing gallery to its present position behind the tower arch. It formerly extended much further into the church and was a great source of disfigurement"

Crook

The shepherd's crook was used by Walter 'Shep' Trevett, a local shepherd, who for many years before the days of electricity pumped the organ for services until the 1930s.

Lectern

The brass eagle lectern was given as a memorial to Mr Plumer the organist in the early part of the century.

Crucifix

The crucifix above the chancel arch was given by the late Mr S.J. Tong. It was carved by Mr Edward Tong in memory of two sons, Herbery, who died of wounds in 1917, and Arthur who died some years later from wounds received in 1918.

Pulpit

The pulpit was removed from St. Mary the Virgin, East Stoke, on its redundancy and replaced the stone pulpit which stood on the opposite side of the aisle.

Reredos

The reredos was made in 1925.

Bells

There are six bells still used regularly. There were only four originally, with another two added in 1907. A large photograph of the six bells hangs in the ringing chamber and is inscribed "In commemoration of the re-hanging of Wool Bells, with the addition of two new ones in 1907, and in memory of the Rev. A. C. B. Dobie, M.A. who whilst Vicar of Wool from 1896 to 1912 was mainly responsible for this work. He loved his church and served it faithfully. Given by his son.". The bells details are:

Plate

The church possesses an Elizabethan chalice with a cover originally used as a paten, bearing the date 1571.

Items on display elsewhere

There is also a chalice belonging to the church on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Originally from Coombe Keynes and known as the Coombe Keynes Chalice it is a fine example of pre-reformation work. An ancient altar cloth belonging to the church is in the custody of the County Museum in Dorchester. It was made up from portions of 15th and 16th century vestments in 8 vertical strips. The vestments are thought to have come from Bindon Abbey after the Reformation.

Registers

The registers of Wool and Coombe Keynes dated from 1583 are now in the County Archives at Dorchester.

War Memorial

The War Memorial in the churchyard is a plain Latin cross and was erected in 1921.

Setting

Although the church now stands on the edge of the village, it was not always so. Church Lane was once a busy road. A hundred yards past the church the road forked; one road to East Stoke, another through Wood Street and into Purbeck, another to Coombe Keynes, running parallel some quarter of a mile east of the present road

Hutchins 3rd edition also referred to the position of the church: " - it is conveniently situated on gently rising ground in the Southern part of the village. There is a tradition among the people, that some time ago it formed the central point of the village; and within the memory of the present generation, changes have taken place which have made it less so than formerly, some houses near the church having been pulled down, and others built at a greater distance, in common, Bindon Lane etc."

Based on the current guide written by Alan Brown (1988).
Edited and maintained by Michael Day.
Last updated: 14 July 1999.