The Church of the Holy Trinity, West Lulworth. Lead Authors: SA, PSt.
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The church of the Holy Trinity in West Lulworth was completed on June 1st 1869 when the foundation stone was laid by Lady Seleina Bond together with other local dignitaries. It was consecrated by the Bishop of Salisbury in May 1870. The church is sited close to the original Norman church which had fallen into disrepair and which supplied much of the stone now in the present church. Its style is Early Geometrical Gothic with a square tower, in keeping with the original church.
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1. Lulworth Church from the south
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The church is predominately Purbeck stone, with Saxicolous lichen in abundance on the outer walls. Cypris Freestone, of the Lower Purbeck, which occurs on the east side of Lulworth Cove, with its characteristic stress fractures, occurs around the building. Also several blocks of Broken Shell Limestone (Burr) were identified. There are also blocks of Portland Stone sourced from the local Purbeck Quarries. A single block of Heathstone was noticed on the South side.
2. Lulworth: west facing outer wall. Note the variety of Purbeck Stones and Portland Stones probably form Purbeck area plus Bath Stone window ledge.
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3. Lulworth: south wall showing Bath Stone window dressings. Note upper window dressing has been coated with a coloured lime wash to protect from further weathering.
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4. Lulworth: west facing wall Note one block of Tertiary Heathstone.
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The mullions and carved tracery around the window cusping appear to be of Bath Stone ( Great Oolite from Somerset and Wiltshire) but were too high for closer examination. The upper parts of the windows appear to be lighter in colour and of recent construction but closer inspection led to the conclusion that they had been subject to a lime wash for protection from the elements. The quoins were covered with dirt so an inspection to ascertain whether they were Doulting Stone was inconclusive but no fossil crinoid ossicles were observed so this is unlikely. The roof is made of manufactured clay tiles.
5. South facing outside wall.
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6. Lulworth: porch outer arch. More weathered Bath Stone than that inside.
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7. Lulworth: porch inner arch to interior of Bath Stone.
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The porchway into the church on the south side has light grey Purbeck flagstones. Near the church entrance at the West end is the font. It is made of light coloured Portland Freestone with decorative columns of Devonshire marble, (a polished limestone from South Devon) around the plinth. The Portland Stone pulpit is also decorated with Devonshire marble.
On the north side of the Nave are columns of Bath Stone, a Great Oolite from Somerset and Wiltshire which appear to have had a light lime stone wash. These columns are surmounted by intricately carved capitals of French Early Gothic foliage and equilateral arches.
On the north side of the Nave are columns of Bath Stone, a Great Oolite from Somerset and Wiltshire which appear to have had a light lime stone wash. These columns are surmounted by intricately carved capitals of French Early Gothic foliage and equilateral arches.
8. Lulworth: interior facing west. Note the Portland Stone Font and Bath Stone pillars.
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9. Lulworth: Font of Portland Stone with Devonshire Marble columns
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10. Lulworth: Pulpit of Portland Stone with Devonshire Marble columns
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In the small chancel, the altar lies on a plinth of Purbeck Marble, a freshwater limestone containing the gastropod Viviparus. The steps leading up to the chancel are Purbeck Stone.
The beautifully carved reredos, which goes across the width of the chancel is made of oak with carved panels of lime wood on either side. It is an estimated 2 metres tall.
The beautifully carved reredos, which goes across the width of the chancel is made of oak with carved panels of lime wood on either side. It is an estimated 2 metres tall.
11. Lulworth interior: columns and capitals of Bath Stone (Great Oolite).
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12. Lulworth: Altar with Purbeck Marble plinth. Note the wooden carved Reredos.
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13. Lulworth: loupe of Purbeck Marble altar plinth.
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Just outside the chancel on the south wall is a memorial to a past Bishop of Salisbury made of alabaster. The floor of the church is mostly made of coloured tiles of no antiquity.
The church, although well maintained has few services and a small congregation. There is evidence of dampness in the inner window surrounds, darkening the stone and flaking plaster. The church is now included in the list of buildings of special architectural and historic interest.
The church, although well maintained has few services and a small congregation. There is evidence of dampness in the inner window surrounds, darkening the stone and flaking plaster. The church is now included in the list of buildings of special architectural and historic interest.
14. Lulworth alabaster memorial near altar.
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15. Lulworth: Font of Portland Stone (Loupe).
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For more information about the history of the church see: Holy Trinity, West Lulworth - The West Purbeck Benefice
