Monument Type(s):

• PARISH CHURCH (12th century to Early 20th century (pre-war) - 1100 AD to 1913 AD)

Summary

An 18th century parish church, with medieval origins, which is protected by Grade II* Listing.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA5219 - 2003 Evaluation in advance of proposed extension to Chapel House, Dinham by Castlering Archaeology
• ESA527 - 1973 excavations at west end of chapel

Description

This building is mainly C18 but embodies portions of a structure of circa 1190. Following recent discovery of nave foundations, now thought to be the chancel of the original parish church abandoned owing to rapid growth of town (status of building, chapel or church, yet to be resolved MDW comm 1984) Ashlar and rubble. The plinth has early Norman tooling. Blocked arches to ground floor of west and north walls having late C12 detail. C18 lancet window to west front. Old tiles. Interior has vaulted roof with single-chamfered ribs. Lantern with wrought-iron vane. Later conversion at east end. Simple wood doorcase and window. <1>

In 1973 a small excavation was carried out at the W end of the structure and N/S walls 2ft 6ins wide, presumably of the nave, were located. These walls projected 6ins each side of the surviving chancel and were of cut and laid stone. If this is correct the present line of Dinham must post-date the abandonment of the church, the nave of which would have occupied the area of the road. It is possible that the building was not completed-vaulted ceiling was intended in the chancel but not built, and perhaps the nave walls were not built. Occasional documentary references up to the C16. Additions on the East in stone in C17, replaced in brick a short time later. Restoration 1973 <2>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, High score as one of 20 Parish Churches <8>

Dedication to St Thomas a Becket suggests foundation date between 1177 and 1189 as a new chapel, perhaps on site of original parish church of Dinham. The chapel was repaired and in use until the early 15th century, and there are documentary references to repair work in 1519 and 1556, although not subsequently documented as a chapel <9>

The chapel is shown as an unroofed shell in Vogelsank and Leu's panorama (1722). There was said to be a graveyard associated with the chapel as late as the 17th century [cf PRN 06187] <10>

CMHTS Record Sheet <11>
CMHTS Report <12>

A 2003 evaluation outside the south east angle of the chapel found disturbed ground (possibly a result of the 1973 restoration works) and possible evidence of considerable levelling. <13><14>

Photograph taken on 30th January 2016. <16>

Included in an atlas of building stone in the county. The chapel is built of Whitcliffe Stone. <17>

St Thomas' Chapel was built in 1190 or during the previous four years, in the parish church of Dinan. The existing tower was the sanctuary. The ribs show that a vaulted ceiling was intended though never completed, and footings of north and south walls of a nave, a food wider than the sanctuary, where established, but there is no evidence to show whether this too was left unfinished. The failure to finish may be explained by development of the new town east of the castle, and the beginning of the construction of a new parish church, St Laurence, in 1199. The structure attached to the east of the chapel is a 17th century stone building, with a lofty upper storey added in brick, probably in the late 17th century. The chapel was restored and the remainder converted into a dwelling in 1973. <18>

'St Thomas' Chapel' and 'Chapel House' (nameplates). There are blocked pointed arches in the east and north walls of the sanctuary, and an open one in the west. The south wall is of re-used materials. Stone ribs rise from the four corners to the centre. Above is a large pointed, arched window on the west, and two small stone windows on the north. Buildings in good condition. See photographs. <19>

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.