St. Mary Magdalene, Loders, Dorset

Description

The parish church of St. Mary Magdalene is an ancient edifice of stone, in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave, south aisle, south porch and an embattled western tower containing 6 bells: on the base of the tower is an ancient stone, carved with a representation of "The Crucifixion": the font has a square Norman bowl of Purbeck marble: the east window and two others are stained: in 1897 Mrs. Beamish presented a handsome brass cross and ornaments for the communion table: the church was completely restored during 1901 at a cost of £1,000: during the course of the work a Norman window and doorway, in the chancel, were re-opened; an Easter sepulchre and a hagioscope uncovered, the western gallery removed, and the west window restored: above the porch is a priest's chamber, with a stairway leading to it: there are 450 sittings : in the churchyard is a quaint epitaph to one Cox, a blacksmith. who died in 1823.

Church Records

The register dates from the year 1636. The original register books are now deposited with the Dorset Archives Service, but have been digitised by Ancestry.co.uk and made available on their site (subscription required).

The Phillimore transcript of Marriages at Loders, 1636-1812 is online.