Our Lady Queen of Martyrs & St. Ignatius

Introduction

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs & Saint Ignatius in Chideock was created in 1874 when Charles Weld transformed the barn chapel into the present church.

History

Eight martyrs are associated with Chideock: seven were put to death and are known as the Chideock Martyrs, and John Jessop died in prison. Blessed Hugh Green, chaplain to the Arundell family, was martyred in 1642 after being arrested at Lyme Regis, and beatified in 1929.

On 3rd July 2014 a special Mass celebrated the completion of a project to reinstate a replica of the original Victorian dome that had been replaced in the early 1960s with a mansard roof. Charles Weld was inspired by the Duomo in Florence in 1874.

Parish life

A small group of Friends of the Church organises visitor groups and provides lunches and teas on request. The Friends of the Church provide flower-arranging for weddings and excellent cakes. All three churches in the Bridport Parish have groups of people who raise money for charitable projects and church maintenance. Masses are attended by local people from the Bridport area and by many people visiting the area.

Visiting

The church is a Marian shrine. The church is about a ten minute, easy walk from St Giles Church and the Weld Memorial Chapel. There is a parking area just beyond the entrance.