The Parish of Christchurch. Christchurch Priory, St George at Jumpers, St John at Purewell

Time Line

Last updated Wednesday, 20 March, 2019

c.634	Birinus landed in Wessex (Anglo-Saxon Chronicles).
7th /8th cent.	First Saxon church built at Twynham.
1086	A Priory of 24 secular canons recorded in Domesday Book.
1094	Building of church commenced by Ranulf (Ralph) Flambard.
c.1100-1135	Roof partly completed. Transepts built.
c. 1145	Nave roofed at Triforium height.
1150	Prior Reginald appointed as first Prior and a community of Augustinian Canons Regular were established.
c. 1200	Aisles vaulted.
1210	Oldest Misericord seat carved.
1214	Nave Altar consecrated.
1290	Clerestory completed and roof raised. North Porch started.
1320	Quire screen carved.
1360	Jesse screen (reredos) carved.
1370	Two King's Head bells cast.
1390	Lady Chapel commenced.
c. 1420	Central tower collapsed or taken down
1460	Tomb of Sir John and Lady Chidiock installed in North Transept
1480	West Tower added.
1486	Berkeley Chantry built.
1502 - 1520	Great Quire rebuilt by Prior William Eyre.
1520	Prior John Draper elected.
1539	Priory surrendered to King Henry VIII and monastic buildings destroyed (The Dissolution).
1549 (Oct 23)	Church granted to town's inhabitants and churchwardens as their parish church in perpetuity.
1552	Prior Draper died.
1662	Grammar School established in St. Michael's Loft
1788	An organ placed on top of Quire Screen. (Gustavus Brander Bequest).
1828	Grammar School ceased but Vicar's Academy continued in St. Michael's Loft (until 1869). Church school established in the town.
1848	Organ moved from screen to South Transept gallery
1854	Shelley Monument installed.
1865	Rebuild of organ by Father Willis.
1867	Church School moved to Wick Lane.
1869	School in Priory closed.
1910-1912	Galleries removed from North and South Transepts.
1934	Electric lighting installed.
1973	Coal-burning stoves replaced with new gas-heating system. New electronic organ installed.
1981	Cloister Way built. St Michael's Loft opened as a museum.
1996 - 1998	Seven stained glass windows installed in Cloister Way depicting the history of the Priory.
1999	New pipe organ installed (Nicholsons). Made possible by an appeal and an Arts Council grant from the Capital Lottery Fund. Installation of Ninth Centenary Window in North Transept (Jane Gray).