Following on from our recent post about five historic churches near Weymouth, we thought we should write about a small place of worship very near to us.
St Catherine-by-the-Sea is a tiny clifftop church that overlooks Ringstead Bay. Located close to the South West Coast Path, it’s popular with walkers. The small garden is a delightful place to stop and enjoy the view.
The building features a window engraved by Simon Whistler, son of artist and poet Sir Laurence Whistler.
History of St Catherine-by-the-Sea
At first glance, you could be forgiven for mistaking the church for a large garden shed, built in timber using a weatherboard style. The clue to its function is the small tower at one end, housing a single bell and topped with a cross.
This modest construction has served as a local church for well over 100 years. It opened in 1906, after two decades of local believers gathering in the home of the local vicar. In this quiet rural corner of Dorset, there was no other church within easy walking distance.
The church was extended in 2010, with the Whistler window being installed at the same time. Crafted by Simon Whistler, it has echoes of his father’s much more extensive work in St Nicholas’ Church in Moreton, just a few miles away.
The bell was donated by a Lieutenant Commander of the Royal Navy. He received it from the Admiralty, after it had hung for years aboard S-Class submarine HMS Sleuth, launched in 1944. The submarine saw active service during the Second World War, in the Pacific Far East.
St Catherine-by-the-Sea today
The church continues to host a monthly service of Holy Communion. It’s at 11am on the fourth Sunday in the month, and is well attended by local people.
It’s open every day, giving you an opportunity to explore this small, peaceful sanctuary high above the sea.
It’s about an hour’s walk from our holiday cottages to St Catherine. Alternatively, you can drive to the National Trust car park above Ringstead Bay. From there it’s about a half-hour stroll down to the church.
[Photo above: Detail from the Simon Whistler window, showing an engraved image of the church.]