Church of St Mary

St Mary’s Church stands in Fordington, a suburb of Dorchester in Dorset. It is a large Anglican church built between 1910 and 1912 to replace an earlier iron structure known as the Tin Tabernacle. The building uses Purbeck marble for most of its walls, with Bath stone for facings and window surrounds. Charles Ponting designed the church, and both Historic England and architectural writers Newman and Pevsner praised its high quality. The church was meant to seat 750 people when it opened. The church replaced a temporary timber and corrugated iron building erected in 1896–97. Fundraising began in 1901, and Ponting drew the plans in 1907. A dispute over the site arose between parishioners, the vicar, and Bishop John Wordsworth. After boundary changes, a new site was donated by J. Foot in memory of his father. The foundation stone was laid by the Earl of Shaftesbury in April 1910, and the church was consecrated in July 1912. Inside, visitors find a spacious interior with marble columns and stone detailing. The church’s architecture reflects Ponting’s skill, with careful proportions and finishes. It became the parish church of West Fordington in 1929, replacing Christ Church. The gate piers leading to the church are also listed for their historic value. The building remains a landmark in Dorchester, marking the growth of the area in the early 20th century.