Martinstown

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Saint Martins Church,
Winterborne Saint Martin (Martinstown)

	The church dates from the early 12th century. The Norman font is thought to date from about 1125
	In 1299 the parish priest Gilbert de Popham resigned. At that time Robert Fitz Pain was Patron of the church and Lord of Manor. The Patrons have also been the Abbot of Abbotsbury, the Bishop of Salisbury and presently the Archdeacon of Sherborne.
	1348 was the year of the great plague. The records of Salisbury Cathedral show mortality was more severe among the clergy than among laymen. Probably between a third and a half of the population died.
	The Church was appropriated to the new Abbot of Abbotsbury, Henry Tolre in 1354. Much of it was rebuilt in the perpendicular style between that date and 1400.
	In 1361 the right to appoint clergy was placed in the hands of the Bishop of Salisbury.
	The chantry (thought to be where the north aisle is today) was built in 1367 with funding from John Maltravers.
	In 1390, Pope Boneface IX appropriated St Martins Church from the Salisbury diocese for the use once more of the Abbot of Abbotsbury.
	In 1392 the Church was returned to the patronage of the Bishop of Salisbury.
	In 1539 under King Henry VIII the seven major religious houses of Dorset were dissolved in just 15 days.
	In 1560 the Crown granted additional support to the church.

	Carvings in the roof are dated 1626.
	In 1650, following a Parliamentary Survey, the church would benefit from further income of Ł20.00 a year payable to the vicar.
	In 1746 four bells were added made by William Knight of Closworth in Somerset. The tenor bell remains.
	King George II died in 1760. Un unusual hatchment of the period of his coat of arms is on the north wall.
	Between 1895 and 1907 the church underwent substantial restoration.
	In November 1987 John Adams was beatified and became The Blessed John Adams.