© Copyright Chris Downer and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence
THE CHAPEL of St Mary’s in the grounds of Lulworth Castle is reputed to be one of the finest pieces of architecture in the entire county of Dorset. The origins of the building are bound up in the history of Roman Catholicism in England.
When Henry VIII broke from the Church of Rome and established the Church of England, Roman Catholics were subject to official persecution. The severity of the prejudice varied according to the political climate. At worst, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Catholics were hung, drawn and quartered for adhering to their faith. Although they were less severely treated during the 17th century, penalties were increased again after the Catholic King James II was deposed in 1688. They were prohibited from holding public office, and subject to double land taxes. Restrictions were placed on travel, firearms and the ownership of horses – which were often looked after by neighbouring landowners.
Secret Worship at Lulworth
IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1791 that Catholics were legally allowed to worship in public. Throughout the intervening years only clandestine services could be observed. The Weld family maintained a priest at the Castle under the guise of a tutor and welcomed others of the faith to Mass at their private Chapel, then within the Castle. By taking these risks, the Weld family and other Catholic landowners helped the Roman Catholic Church survive in England.
In 1786 Thomas Weld engaged the architect John Tasker to build the Chapel. Family tradition tells that King George III gave his permission to Thomas to ‘build a mausoleum and you may furnish it inside as you wish’. Thus St Mary’s became the first free-standing Roman Catholic Church to be built in England since the Reformation. In 1789 the King and Queen Charlotte visited the Chapel and gave it their approval. In 1790, John Carroll, the first Bishop in the United States was consecrated there.
The Interior
THE CHAPEL was designed to look like a mausoleum in classical style. The beautifully domed ceiling, lit through clear windows rather than stained glass, creates a tranquil and inspiring atmosphere.
The altar, crucifix and candlesticks were made in Rome, to the design of Giacomo Quarenghi, and shipped to Lulworth for the Chapel’s dedication.
The impressive organ was made by Richard Seede of Bristol in 1785. Originally built for the Castle it was installed here instead. In 1990 it was restored under the direction of a working party appointed by the Council of the British Organ Studies.
In the 1860s the Chapel was given a ‘Byzantine’ appearance by J R Hanson, but restored to its original scheme by H S Goodhart-Rendel in 1953.
The painting on the domed ceiling represents the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was commissioned in 1987 and painted by Sarah Jansen to commemorate the bi-centenary of the Chapel.
Priests who have served at East Lulworth Chapel
- 1825-1854: Mr. Benjamin MUTARDIOUR –
- ? -1860: Mr. HAVERS –
- ?-1864: Father William STRICKLAND –
- 1864-1873: Father WALMESLEY
- 1864-1876: Father James Henry CORRY
- 1873-1875: Father George TICKLE
- 1876-1890: Father William JOHNSON
- 1885: Rev. Vincent ZANETTI
- 1885: Rev. James FOLEY
- 1890-1893: Father Walter BRIDGE
- 1895-1899: William UNSWORTH
- 1903: Rev. W Van VOLKXSOM OSB
- 1903-1907: Very Rev. John Wulstan RICHARDS OSB
- 1907-1915: Rev. Marmaduke O LANGDALE OSB
- 1911: Rev. Benedict P GRIFFIN OSB
- 1911-1915: Rev. Bernard M SUTER OSB
- 1915-1926: Father Isaac COWD
- 1926-1930: Father Eugene O’CALLAGHAN – Presbytery
- 1930-1932: Father Bernard TRACY
- 1932-?: Father SCANLON
- 1935-1936: Rev. Patrick O’REILLY – Presbytery
- 1936-1947: Father Patrick Joseph DWANE (1898-1947) – born Clonmell, Ireland
Page last updated: 26 October 2022