St Martin's Church, Wareham, sometimes St Martin's-on-the-walls, is an Anglo-Saxon church in the town of WarehaminDorset, England. It is the most complete example of an Anglo-Saxon church in Dorset.[2] It is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.[1]
| St Martin's Church, Wareham | |
|---|---|
| St Martin's-on-the-walls, Wareham | |
 | |
 | |
| 50°41′20″N 2°06′41″W / 50.6888°N 2.1115°W / 50.6888; -2.1115 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Martin |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed[1] |
| Designated | 7 May 1952 |
| Style | Saxon |
| Years built | circa 1030 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Salisbury |
The church is reputed to have been founded by Saint Aldhelm in the 7th century.[3] It is thought that this earlier building was destroyed by King Canute in 1015.[3] The present building dates from about AD 1030. Anglo-Saxon features include a tall, narrow nave and chancel, late Anglo-Saxon wall-arcading in the north west aisle and traces of a Saxon door.[4] The building has been altered and expanded over the years but the nave and a tiny window in the north side of the chancel are original features. On the north wall of the chancel are 12th-century frescoes depicting Saint Martin on horseback, escorted by attendants, dividing his cloak and giving one half to a naked beggar.
On one of the walls a number of red stars have been painted, possibly representing plague deaths in the 17th century.[2]
During the Great Fire of Wareham in 1762, the church was used as a temporary refuge for those who had lost their homes. Later the church fell into disuse but at the beginning of the 20th century a programme of restoration began and the church was rededicated on 23 November 1936.
In the north aisle sits a stone tomb effigyofT. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), created by his friend Eric Kennington.[5]
The church is still in use, with a regular weekly communion on Wednesdays.
