Friday 28th February 1986
The 13th century Monkton Deverill Church, which is to be converted into a four-bedroomed house.
The redundant 13th century church at Monkton Deverill has been sold and planning permission has been granted to convert it into a house.
The church dates from the late 1200s and enjoyed a useful existence until the middle of the last century when the diocesan architect, a Mr. Wyatt, rebuilt the nave, in about 1845. He did not accomplish much because it needed rebuilding just seven years later.
After the Second World War it was discovered that the church had never been dedicated. The necessary arrangements were made and in 1947 it was dedicated to St. Alfred, King of West Saxons.
This belated action did not protect the church from the changing social climate or the drift of the population towards the towns and cities. In 1970 the Church Commissioners decided that it should be made redundant. It was seven years until the decision was made to sell the church and during that time it was left untended.
In 1977 London interests acquired the building with permission to convert it to residential use, but only half-hearted attempts were made at the work and interest quickly waned.
Late in 1985 the nave and vestry were vandalised and shortly after that a fire in the belfry caused substantial damage to the listed 13th century tower.
The new owner, who is going to convert the church into a four-bedroomed house, has also got permission from the Church Commissioners to move the gravestones.