St Mary’s Church on Brownsea Island looks over the green, most people pass it as they start one of the many walks to explore the island. It was built in 1853/4 and was consecrated that same year by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Rev. Walter Kerr Hamilton, on 18 October 1854. The Diocese of Salisbury includes Dorset, my home county, and indeed I was confirmed by the then Bishop of Salisbury, decades ago!
I had my Canon EOS 30 with me the day of my visit as I hoped to maybe get a few wildlife photo’s, and my best long lens fits the Canon. It was loaded with a roll of Kodak Gold, luckily I also brought along my 40mm, and all of these photo’s are made with that.
There is a well in the churchyard which is actually the grave of George Cavendish-Bentinck (one time owner of the island) and his wife, Penelope. The Van Raalte chapel on the side of the church was a later addition, and it contains an effigy of Charles Van Raalte another past owner of the island.
A vicarage was built just to the north, but apparently was never used as one and became known as the villa. It’s still there today but is now the “Wildlife and Wetland Centre”.
Nearby a pond – have you ever tried to photograph Dragonflies with a 300mm lens on film? My advice should you think about trying it – don’t 🙂
If you like film images of churches – just click on the category below – I’ve photographed a few!!!
S.H.O.U.T. 