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KINGSTON is an
ecclesiastical parish, formerly a chapelry, separated in 1877 from the mother
parish of Corfe Castle, in the Eastern division of the county, Wareham petty sessional
division and county court district, Wareham & Purbeck union, hundred of
Rowbarrow, rural deanery of Dorchester third portion, archdeaconry of Dorset
and diocese of Salisbury, 6½ miles south-south-east from Wareham, 1½ miles
south from Corfe Castle, 5 south-west from Swanage, and 131½ from London. The
village, which has been almost entirely rebuilt during the last few years, is
pleasantly situated on an eminence, commanding a fine view of the old village
and ruins of Corfe
Castle. The church of
St. James was erected during the years 1874 to 1880, at the sole cost of the
Earl of Eldon, under the direction and designs of G. E. Street esq. R.A. of London: it is a handsome
cruciform stone structure, in the Early English style, symmetrical in design,
with a lofty tower running up from centre of cross, containing a splendid
peal of 8 bells: it consists of apsidal chancel, nave, aisles, and transepts:
the chancel roof is of stone and groined: on the east wall are three
medallions on diaper ground, standing out in bold relief: on the south side
is a treble sedile, also a piscina of Purbeck marble: the screen is of
Purbeck marble surmounted by elaborate open wrought iron work: the communion
table is of stained oak on white marble base, the floor being paved with
encanstic tiles and black and white marble: the nave is supported by enriched
arches, on clustered Purbeck marble columns and bases, with elegantly carved
stone capitals: a handsome font is placed under one of these arches at the
west end, with a carved stone bowl and supported on Purbeck marble columns,
in unison with those supporting the arches: the roofs of nave and aisles are
of oak, panelled and stained: it is seated with chairs instead of benches and
paved with encanstic and polished stone tiles of different colours: reading
desk and choir stalls are of oak: the pulpit is of elaborate wrought iron
work mounted upon a pedestal of Purbeck stone: there is a three-manual organ
placed in north transent: every window (45 in all) is stained and they are filled
with a large and choice selection of subjects: those in the clerestory are of
geometrical design, the most attractive window being the large rose window in
the west end, 12 feet in diameter, and most beautiful in design and
workmanship: there are two vestries, one for clergymen, the other for choir:
a handsome narthex protects the west entrance from the prevailing winds: the
church standing on an eminences a conspicuous object for a great distance,
the stone of which it is erected being of a very bright hun. The register
dates from the year 1877. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value from
Ecclesiastical Commissioners £350, with residence, in the gift of the Earl of
Eldon, and held since 1877 by the Rev. Spencer Compton Spencer-Smith M.A. of
Balliol College, Oxford.
There has also been a vicarage erected near the church. The old or parish
church of St. James’ is still standing and in good preservation: it is a
cruciform structure in the Perpendicular style, built of stone with square
embattled tower with pinnacles, 1 bell, and two stained windows: it is used
for weddings and burials: the new church is not consecrated, and is the
property of Lord Eldon. There is a handsome school house with residence for
the master, erected in 1856, in memory of the late Earl and Countess of
Eldon, by their children. Encombe, the seat of the Earl of Eldon, is about a
mile and a half south-west of the village, and situated in a very deep vale
that opens to the British Channel on the south. “Here” says Hutchins, “stood the
ancient seat of the Cullifords, which being much decayed, was entirely pulled
down about 1736, by Mr John Pitt, who on the same spot erected an elegant
mansion of Purbeck stone, laid out the grounds with great taste, and made
extensive plantations: it has a noble view of the English Channel, and is
esteemed one of the most beautiful situations in this part of the kingdom”.
Encombe was much improved by the Lord Chancellor Eldon, who, at a great cost,
tunnelled the eastern hill and brought from a spring a more copious supply
for the piece of water in front of the mansion: great enlargements and
improvements have been made by the present Earl: this estate from its
fertility, has been distinguished by the name of the “Golden Bowl”. An
obelisk in the ground was erected by the Lord Chancellor Eldon, to his
brother the late Lord Stowell: a long drive through plantations connects the
house with the high road at Kingston,
where is a tasteful lodge and entrance gates. The Earl of Eldon is lord of
the manor and sole landowner. The soil is stiff clay: subsoil, marl: a great
portion of the land is used for grazing: there is little corn and root crops
grown. The area is 2,804A. 3R. 2P: rateable value included with Corfe Castle: the population in 1881 was
457.
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Eldon, Right Hon. Earl of,
Encombe J.P.; & 1 Hamilton
place, Piccadilly w & Carlton club, London s w
Spencer-Smith, Rev. Spencer
Compton M.A. [The Vicarage]
Beaves, John, shoe
maker
Candy, George, head
gamekeeper to the Earl of Eldon, Encombe
Foot, Mary (Mrs.), Eldon
Arms P.H.
Joyce, James Vivian,
blacksmith
Jackson, Frederick, farm steward
to the earl of Eldon, Encombe
Meed, Thomas Swan, post
office
Tucker, James, farm bailiff to Henry Paul esq. Blashenwell farm
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