for the south aisle, they came upon the foundation of an earlier church. The 

 earlier church, according to Hutchins, consisted only of a nave, for the chancel 

 and tower were added later, about 1450. Wool church was a parochial chapel 

 belonging to Coombe Keynes. During the 13th century it was rebuilt. In 

 1384 it was decreed that Wool chapel should be dedicated for the third time, and 

 since then, with its mother church at Coombe, it had been dedicated to Holy 

 Hood. From the middle of the 15th century till 1865 the church consisted of 

 a small chancel, nave, tower, and north arcade. In 1865 a faculty was issued 

 to pull down the body and the chancel, with the exception of the tower and 

 north and east walls of the nave, and to build a south aisle. The result was 

 the church as we see it now. This extension included the old burial place of the 

 Turbervilles, of Wool Bridge. Where the organ now stands there was a small 

 chapel called Bindon Chapel. The special feature of Wool church is un- 

 doubtedly the triple chancel arch, or rather the chancel arch tri-sected, the effect 

 of which is pleasing and almost unique. It appears to be a stone screen with 

 three equal bays, the arches being supported by two slender columns. The 

 tympanum is plain, with no trace of sculpture or fresco. 



The screen dates from the middle of the 13th century. Mr. Dobie added 

 that he hoped some day to have the heavy stone pulpit removed and replaced by 

 a light wooden one, more to the side of the church, to allow the screen to be 

 seen better. The font is an excellent specimen of 15th century work. The two 

 old arches on the north of the nave, about 1250 in date, have been much admired. 

 There are four bells, and it is popularly believed, according to the doggerel 

 couplet, that they were stolen from Bindon Abbey at the time of the Dissolution 

 of the Monasteries. It is said that Bindon Abbey had twelve bells, and that 

 eight were taken to Fordington St. George Church by "Fordington rogues" 

 and the other four hung in Wool church tower. But Mr. Dobie pointed out that 

 the two earliest bells of the four bear dates 60 years later than the Dissolution. 

 If it was suggested to meet this difficulty that the bells were re-cast he would 

 reply that it was strange that they should have been re- cast at different dates, 

 instead of all at one time. He preferred to think that the bells were given 

 from time to time by pious parishioners who recognised the need of the church 

 and wished to supply it. 



Mr. Dobie had brought out the Communion silver for the Club to see. There is 

 a silver Elizabethan chalice with the cover engraved with the date 1571. This 

 cover also served as a paten. Another interesting silver chalice, of pre Bef orma- 

 tion date (figured in "Cripps' Old English Plate"), belonged to the church at 

 Coombe. He also called attention to a cresset stone placed by the font, made 

 of Purbeck marble, rectangular in shape, and pierced with four holes. This, he 

 said, was in almost as good condition as when finished by mediaeval workmen. 

 In conclusion Mr. Dobie observed that they had revived the old-fashioned custom 

 of going up to the mother church at Coombe Keynes once a year, and on the 

 afternoon of the Fourth Sunday in Lent a large body of pilgrims made their way 

 thither. 



