Christchurch Priory

Opening hours: Open daily 10.00-17.00

Services

Sunday

Sung Eucharist 09.45, Matins 11.15, Evensong 18.30

Facilities

Entrance: Free but suggested donation of £3 per adult

Disabled: Wheelchair entrance via North Porch.

Guided tours: Guided tours at £3.50 per adult. Special Evening Tours (£10) & School Tours, but all to be pre-booked from the Head Verger. Tower Visits at £3.50 per adult See website for further details

Shop: Gift Shop and a Bookshop is in the Baptistry at the West End.

Website: www.christchurchpriory.org

E-mail address: verger@christchurchpriory.org

Telephone
Office 01202 488645
Head Verger 01202 485804

Music

Master of the Choristers
Hugh Morris (since 2009)

Choir

Separate boys’ (20) and girls’ (20) choirs sing regular services with a strong men’s choir. The Priory Singers, a mixed voice choir, sing some services during school holidays; the Priory Chamber Choir sings for other, occasional services.

Organ

The Father Willis Organ of 1865, in the South Transept, was rebuilt in 1951 by John Compton until it fell silent in 1973. A new organ was installed by Nicholson's of Malvern in 1999/2000/2006 with 63 stops over 4 manuals, reusing the majority of the original pipework.

Cathedral

Building

The church was granted to the residents of Christchurch as their parish church by Henry VIII after the dissolution of the monasteries. The Nave, at 118ft long and 58ft high, is Norman as far as the Triforium, with the Clerestory being Early English. The Quire Screen, the Jesse Reredos and the South Nave Aisle windows are Decorated Gothic, whilst the Quire is classic Perpendicular Gothic at its best, with some early examples of pendant vaulting.

Christchurch Priory

Services

Facilities

Music

Cathedral

FCM