Church of St Giles, Wimborne St Giles

Welcome to Wimborne St Giles, Dorset! As your tourist guide, I am excited to take you on a journey through the history and architecture of the Church of St Giles. The Church of St Giles is the Church of England parish church for the village of Wimborne St Giles. It was originally founded in the 13th century and has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. The present church is a mixture of Georgian and Gothic Revival architecture, which makes it a unique and beautiful sight to behold. Located at the start of the main driveway to St Giles House, the seat of the Earl of Shaftesbury, the church is situated at the end of a row of Stuart-era almshouses. This location adds to the charm and character of the church, making it a must-see attraction for tourists. The church has been celebrated by several architectural historians, most notably Sir John Betjeman, who described St Giles as "a treasure-house of Comper work". This refers to the restoration carried out on the church by Sir Ninian Comper between 1908 and 1910. The restoration work has helped preserve the beauty and historical significance of the church. The church building has been designated as Grade I listed on the National Heritage List for England, which is the highest possible rating. This designation is a testament to the importance of the church in English history and architecture. The first rector of Wimborne St Giles, John de Fissa, was recorded in 1207, and a church is recorded on the site in 1291. This medieval parish church was rebuilt in the 1620s under patronage from Sir Anthony Ashley, 1st Baronet of Wimborne St Giles. Ashley died in 1628 and was buried in a spectacular tomb in the church, which still survives to this day. The church was rebuilt again in 1732 by John and William Bastard, Dorset architects who most notably rebuilt nearly the entire town of Blandford Forum following a catastrophic fire the previous year. The Bastard siblings also rebuilt Blandford's parish church concurrently with that at Wimborne St Giles. In conclusion, the Church of St Giles is a must-see attraction for tourists visiting Wimborne St Giles, Dorset. Its unique blend of Georgian and Gothic Revival architecture, historical significance, and beautiful location make it a sight to behold. Don't miss out on the opportunity to visit this Grade I listed church and experience its beauty and history firsthand.

Location: Wimborne St Giles

Inception: 1732

Source: Wikimedia