St. Nicholas, Worth Matravers, Dorset

Description

The parish church of St. Nicholas is a building of Purbeck stone, consisting of chancel, nave, south porch, and a tower containing 3 bells: the nave and west tower are Norman and the chancel Norman and Early English: a heavy projecting eaves-course runs the whole length of both nave and chancel, and is supported by rude grotesque blocks and heads: the entrance doorway is surmounted by an ornamental semicircular arch, inclosing a tympanum on which are remains of rude and very ancient sculpture: the chancel arch is an interesting example of Early Norman work, and on the west side consists of three orders, the two outer ones having bold zigzag moulding: the east window is late Decorated, with reticulated tracery: the other chancel windows are lancets, widely splayed: there is a trefoil-headed piscina, with a cinquefoil-headed niche above it; the font is good Perpendicular: here is the tombstone of Benjamin Jesty, noted for having been the first person known who introduced the cowpox by inoculation: the whole fabric has been restored and refitted, chiefly at the cost of the Earl of Eldon: there are 200 sittings.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1584. 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).