the cathedral of the purbecks

...at one time, Kingston, a tiny village near Corfe Castle in Dorset, boasted three churches. In fact, they are all still in existence. The Wesleyan chapel has been a private residence for some time, while the 'old' church is in the process of being converted into a residence.

This fine 'new' church, is in the gothic revival style and was constructed between 1874 and 1880 by the third Earl of Eldon, effectively as a private chapel for the Eldon family. The architect, George Edmund Street, was Honorary Diocesan Architect to the Diocese of Oxford and, as such, designed a number of churches, but his most famous design is that of the Law Courts in the Strand, London.

In 1922, the new church was substituted for the old one. Dedicated to St James, it is often referred to as The Cathedral of the Purbecks owing to its size, design and layout. The tower appears disproportionately large because it was designed to contain a full peal of eight bells, which are in the key of D and are said to be exceptionally fine, attracting bell-ringers from far and wide...