England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Stalbridge St Mary

The Parish

The parish of Stalbridge lies in northern Dorset, indeed it forms part of the border with neighbouring Somerset. Stalbridge sits astride the busy A357 which links Sturminster Newton to the Somerset market town of Wincanton. Stalbridge is a substantial market town in its own right, the market & fair having been granted by Edward I. The ancient market cross is quite a feature of the town, sited at one of the major junctions it is an elaborate structure. The town sits on a ridge of high ground formed by limestone which was used extensively for building in the town. To the east runs the valley of the River Stour whilst streams drain eastwards to the south of the town to join that river. The ridge, along which the A357 takes its route, is about 80 metres above sea level, a good 30 metre rise over the Stour valley and this gives fine views to the east. The parish is extensive and supported a substantial population of almost 1,900 souls, most in the town itself. In Domesday times the land was held by the Bishop of Salisbury and supported 16 ploughs with additional resources including a mill.

The Church

St Mary's church is a substantial structure as befits a market town, however it is not particularly historic having been largely rebuilt in the 1860/1870 period. Where mediaeval remains the original structure was probably dateable to the 14th century but there is little of that left, the only other period shown is that of the north chapel which is early Tudor. St Mary's church is sited at the northern end of the town, close to the A357 where it exits the housing area. Accessed by a short metalled lane the churchyard is surrounded by a substantial, weathered stone wall breached by metalled gates. The site is quite steeply sloping to the east with the lower eastern end raised to the level of the wall. A few trees decorate the western end of the graveyard otherwise it is a relatively open site.