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What Hutchinsons History of Dorset
said about
All Saints, West Parley in 1870

We are grateful to the Librarian, Jennifer Monds, of Sarum College Library, for permitting us access to Hutchinsons History of Dorset, a monumental record of all things to be found in Dorset, published in four volumes commencing in 1861.

As Parley was just and only just, inside Dorset at that time, it merits an entry. This is what the author thought of All Saints, he was not very impressed. The entry is reproduced photographically with a transcription at the side to avoid any misinterpretation.

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The Church at West Parley

is a small structure, consisting of a nave, chancel, and north porch. In a wooden turret is one bell.
It is chiefly of Perpendicular character. The chancel arch has two orders, the masonry of a rude character, inner order chamfered, broken by a slight impost, the outer having a wide chamfer, which stops at the level of the of the impost.
Over the arch on the west is a hood-mould. The hagioscope was made by the present incumbent. There are brackets on each side of the east window. The cylindrical ceiling of the nave has ornamental paterae at the intersections of the ribs forming the compartments into which it is divided.
The font has a plain octagonal bowl, supported by a stem which is ornamented with an irregular arcade of semicircular arches, rising from plain columns and imposts.

Hagioscope \Ha"gi*o*scope`\, n.
An opening made in the interior walls of a cruciform church to afford a view of the altar to those in the transepts; -- called, in architecture, a squint. --Hook.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
impost(Arch.) The top member of a pillar, pier, wall, etc., upon which the weight of an arch rests.
Note: The impost is called continuous, if the moldings of the arch or architrave run down the jamb or pier without a break.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

This is the first snippet to come from a project to record the history of this parish and West Parley. Others will follow as the material is processed. If you have anything to contribute by way of reminiscences, documents or photographs, please get in touch.