We have just returned from a short holiday in West Bay in Dorset, where we enjoyed a very peaceful week away. We stayed in a bright comfortable apartment right on the harbour, and so were able to spend a lot of time wandering along the shore and the harbour area. I took my notebook with me and spent a lot of time drawing and sketching, which was fun. There were a couple of bad storms, with gale-force winds and heavy rain [which is just the weather we love. Beach to ourselves - and a glorious sense of the incredible power of nature! Long walks with the wind and rain lashing your face. Staying out till you are frozen to the bone. Then back home to a warm fire and hot chocolate! Bliss!]
On Sunday we went to St Mary & St Catherine Catholic Church in Bridport, but later in the week we found the Shrine church of the Chideock martyrs, hidden away in the depths of the countryside. It was one of the most atmospheric places I have ever been, dedicated to the eight Catholic martyrs associated with Chideock, who died for their Faith between 1535 and 1681 at the time of the Reformation. We were privileged to attend Mass there on the Friday, a very moving experience. This little chapel is truly a Catholic gem and deserves to be preserved, and much more widely known.
I definitely recommend that anyone in the area take time to visit. It is open daily, and there is a little museum attached which provides information about the local area as well as the Catholic community and the martyrs.
History of the Chapel (taken from the Shrine website: http://www.chideockmartyrschurch.org.uk/history.htm
Four families have held the Manor of Chideock from the Norman Conquest until the late 1990's (Mandeville, Chideock, Arundell and Weld). The Manor and estate were sold to the Coates family in 1996. The church remains in trust to the Weld family.
Chideock Castle was built by John de Chideocke in 1380. In the Middle Ages, it passed into the hands of the Arundells of Lanherne, a powerful West Country family who remained loyal to their faith when the old religion was banned. The Castle became a refuge for Catholic priests and a place where loyal Catholic villagers could go to Mass. During this time, seven Chideock men were martyred for their faith. When the Castle was destroyed in the Civil War, the Arundells left Chideock, but despite persecution, the local people kept the faith and worshipped in secret in the loft of a barn next to the present Manor House.
In 1802, Thomas Weld of Lulworth Castle, a relation of the Arundells and also a member of an old Catholic family, bought Chideock estate for his sixth son, Humphrey, who built the present Manor House and turned the barn into a modest chapel. In 1874, Humphrey's son, Charles, transformed the latter into the beautiful Church we know today. The Church is dedicated to Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs and to St. Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus.
The Memorial Chapel, next to St. Giles Parish Church (see map). In 1852 Charles Weld designed and built this Chapel in memory of his parents and decorated the interior with some remarkable wall paintings. This Grade 2 listed building can be opened by arrangement.
The history of Chideock's Catholic past and village life is on display in the Museum attached to the Church. For more information, go to 'Events and Services'
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