- Fabric
Fabric and History
The Priory Church was founded in 1094 as an Augustinian Priory and has significant surviving Norman architecture and a fine Jesse screen in the Great Quire. The church survived the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII and was given to the town of Christchurch
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- Community
Groups at The Priory
There are many fellowship, Christian education and interest groups operated by the Priory Church and you are warmly invited to try and maybe join one or more of them.
Welcome Group, House Groups, Junior Church and Little Church, Youth Group - 'ithink', Alpha Course, Church Mice, Mothers Union, The Priory Bells
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- Shop
Shop and Bookstall
The Priory Church has a bookstall inside the church and a shop with a wide range of gifts just outside the West door
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- Music
The Priory Choirs
The Priory has a long choral tradition. This tradition is continued today with our thriving and expanding music programme. The basic aim of all the choirs is the same: to be able to lead and enhance the worshipping life of this church.
Regular Sunday services are led by the Priory choirs: the boys choir and the girls choir, who each sing together with the dedicated team of volunteer choirmen.
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Welcome to Christchurch Priory
Welcome to Christchurch Priory, home to a thriving Christian community, set on the southernmost edge of the town on the confluence of the River Avon and the River Stour as they flow into Christchurch Harbour.
Prayer and worship have been offered on this site for more than 1,300 years, and in this Priory Church for over 900 years, by people who have left behind a testimony to their faith in the architecture of this magnificent parish church which dates back to Norman times. We are open every day of the year, and welcome a large number of visitors from across the world.
A wide range of services is on offer in the Priory, many of them involving our choirs which are among the best parish church choirs in the country. As a Christian community, we set out to be welcoming and inclusive, and so the Priory is also used by the people of Christchurch for weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other significant events in both local and national life.
We hope that you will have the opportunity to visit us, to enjoy the beauty and peace of this building, to take time for prayer and reflection, to light a candle, or to join us in any of our acts of worship which take place regularly in this remarkable church hallowed by centuries of prayer and worship.
The Reverend Christopher Mann, Priest in Charge
Opening times
Monday-Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm
Sunday 2.15pm - 5.30pm subject to services
Forthcoming services and events
| 23 May 12:30pm | Organ Recital - Hugh Morris (Christchurch Priory) |
| 26 May 11:30am | Battle of Atlantic 70th Anniversary Service |
| 27 May 1:00pm | Choral Classics Lunchtime Recital - Karl Jenkins: The Peacemakers (Excerpts) - Paul Carr: Magnificat |
| 30 May 12:30pm | Organ Recital - Scott Farrell (Rochester Cathedral) |
| More Special servicesFull calendar | |
Regular Service Times
- Sundays
- 8.00 am - Holy Communion (BCP)
- 9.30 am - Sung Eucharist and Sermon
- 11.30 am - Choral Matins and Sermon
- 11:30 am - Baptism Service (4th Sunday)
- 6.30 pm - Choral Evensong and Sermon
- Weekdays and Saturdays
- 8.30 am - Morning Prayer
- 9.00 am - Eucharist (except Thursday)
- 11.00 am - Holy Communion (BCP) (Thursday only)
- 5.00 pm - Evening Prayer
For a full list see the Services and Special services pages.