St Mary

C15.

these are matched in the aisles, where the medieval tracery was replaced in 1860.

West of the south transept is a two-bay addition probably of the late 14th century, containing a chapel (of St Katherine) with a two-storey porch to its west.

The two west bays are of 1859-60, virtually indistinguishable from the medieval work.

The imposing tower is late 14th or 15th century, and rises above the roof in two stages, with offset buttresses at the lower stage, and a two-light bell opening in each face of the upper stage.

if in situ, this implies that the porch may be 13th century with Perp remodelling.

Nave and transepts have ceiled wagon roofs with moulded ribs and carved bosses, the aisles have lean-to panelled roofs with plain rafters on carved corbels.

Principal Fixtures: On the outside west wall of the south porch is a badly weathered medieval carving from St Andrew¿s chapel , placed there in 1883.

Heavy pulpit of Caen stone, 1860, with much Perp carving and three sides opened up beneath ogee arches to form a frame for a high relief scene of the Sermon on the Mount.

The font is Perp, octagonal with quatrefoil panels on the bowl, and a heavy panelled foot.

At the west end of the south aisle, the Royal Arms painted on board in an arched frame

In the north transept is a trefoil-headed piscina of the 13th century.

In the south chapel is a Gothic oak reredos, 1907, and an entrance screen of wrought-iron, from a reordering and restoration of the chapel in 1900, when encaustic tiles were laid in the sanctuary.

Monuments: The outstanding monument is in the north transept, a knight in chain mail of c.

1250, possibly John Gervase d.

Small brass in decorative frame, to Edward Coker, gentleman, shot in 1685 by one of the Duke of Monmouth¿s officers.

Stained glass: a varied collection of 1850-1914.

Subsidiary Features: Large churchyard with a yew walk to the south porch, and many good monuments, including prominent obelisks near the road.

History: One of four Saxon boroughs in Dorset, Bridport was a substantial settlement by the 11th century.

The earliest parts of the present church are early 13th century, probably indicating rebuilding on the site of a Saxon predecessor.

As Bridport grew from the 13th century, the centre of settlement moved northwards, accounting for the church¿s position on the southern edge of the old town centre.

This resulted in the building of a chapel of St Andrew dedicated in 1362, on the site of the town hall c. ¼ mile north of the church.

Several chantries in the church were endowed in the late 14th century and these may coincide approximately with the Perp rebuilding around the crossing, and of the south chapel and adjacent porch.

Reasons for Designation: The church of St Mary, Bridport, is designated at Grade I for the following principal reasons: ¿ An ambitious parish church on a site at the centre of the Saxon borough, though significantly south of the later medieval development of Bridport ¿ Some Early English fabric and cruciform plan surviving from a major rebuilding in the early 13th century. ¿ Substantially Perp tower, crossing, nave, aisles, south chapel and porch, possibly related to chantry dedications c.

1368-1400. ¿ Fairly sympathetic rebuilding of the east end, and lengthening of the nave and aisles in 1859-60, by John Hicks of Dorchester. ¿ Good and varied stained glass, mainly c.