The Priory Today - 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 (£3 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.

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 £2.50 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.