Kingston (near Corfe Castle)
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DORSET OPC
Kingston’s Churches
The story of Kingston’s churches is rather an unusual one. Since the 12th century Kingston had been a chapelry of Corfe Castle, and a chapel had stood on the east side of the village, served by the Rector of Corfe Castle or his assistant.
In 1833 the first Earl of Eldon replaced the chapel, at his own charge, by the building
which can still be seen on the site: it was designed by his son-
In 1874 the present parish church was commenced by the third Earl, and was completed in 1880. It did not immediately replace the existing church, and for over forty years it was, in effect, the private chapel of the Eldon family.
In April 1921 Lord Eldon conveyed the church and churchyard to the Church Commissioners, and on October 11th, 1921 they were consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Jocelyne.
In January, 1922 the new church was substituted for the old one under an Instrument of the Church Commissioners. The old church was then used as the church hall for many years.
There was also a Wesleyan Chapel at the foot of Kingston Hill.
Kingston St. James (new church) is open for worship most Sundays from 11.15am.
It is also open for prayers on Mondays from 9am to 9.15am
