|
Christchurch
Priory: The Living Church
Christchurch
Priory Church (the Parish Church) is very much a living
church. It is open every day not only for the usual
daily services of Matins and Evensong, but from 10.00am
to 5.00pm for pilgrims, tourists and visitors for personal
prayer, relaxation or just viewing.
No
charge is made for entry but a donation (£2 per
adult is suggested) towards the running costs and maintenance
of the church is welcomed. The church and the Priory
House attached to it by the Cloister Way are the centre
for not only many parochial committees and activities
but for exhibitions by local art societies.
The
church is supported by a thriving 'Friends
of the Priory' organisation.
A
new pipe
organ by Nicholsons' was installed in 1999
and a series of organ recitals and concerts are held
throughout the year.
During
term time there is usually an organ/choral recital at
lunchtime on Thursdays (light refreshments are available
in Priory House on these Thursdays.)
The
administration of Christchurch Parish is unusual in
that, since King Henry VIII in 1540 gave the church
and its churchyard to the Churchwardens and inhabitants
of Christchurch to be their Parish Church in perpetuity
the Vicar, his assistant clergy and staff have, in effect,
only spiritual authority over the church, while the
care and maintenance of the fabric are undertaken by
a Repairs Committee, set up by a High Court judgment,
with an independent chairman.
Back
to top
There
are two churchwardens, a Parochial Church Council, a
choirmaster/organist and a band of bellringers.
The
head and assistant vergers are concerned, as is usual,
with the day- to-day running of the church and its security.
Some
two hundred volunteers undertake the duties of welcomers,
guides, stewards, holy dusters, flower arrangers, and
staff on the bookstall and the gift shop.
While
no charge is made for entry to the church, a small charge
of £2 is made for entry to the tower - 120 feet
high, and 176 steps up a spiral staircase - and visits
there have to be supervised (for insurance reasons)
by a guide. Magnificent views of the Isle of Wight,
Purbeck and the surrounding district are obtained from
the top. A small charge is also made for the church
museum
(above the Lady Chapel) which is 75 steps up a spiral
staircase. This, too, has to be staffed when open to
visitors.
Back
to top |
