Listed Building record MDO16983 - Parish Church of St Nicholas, Studland

A church of the late 11th century or mid 12th century on the site of and incorporating part of a Saxon church. The church had some additions in the 18th century and was restored in 1880-1.

Parish Church of St Nicholas, Studland with walls of rubble partly re-faced in ashlar was probably built shortly before the Conquest, with chancel, central tower, and nave. The nave was rebuilt in the late 11th century partly on the foundations of an earlier nave; these were uncovered during the restoration of 1880-1. In the mid 12th century the standing chancel and tower were partly re-faced and re-modelled new arches, windows and vaulting being insereted. Some rebuilding was done in the 18th century and a general restoration followered in 1880-1. The church is an interesting example of mid-12th century elaboration of a comparatively small and simple pre-Conquest church. <2> St Nicholas's Church, Studland is one of the most complete Norman churches. "Excavations have made it likely that nave, tower, and chancel initially were pre-Conquest but rebuilt soon after. The RCHM gives the nave as late 11th century, the tower and chancel as mid-12th century. The latter seems a little late…." <3> The plain Romanesque tympanum at St Nicholas' Church has been dated to the first quarter of the C12th. Full description. <4>

Record last edited

Apr 17 2023 3:04PM