St Martin's-on-The-Walls

Beautiful atmospheric Anglican church. The effigy of Lawrence of Arabia lays peacefully inside the church. Lawrence is buried at Moreton cemetery. The church has been open for prayer for over 1000 years. If you are anywhere near Wareham it's well worth visiting.

St Martin-on-the-Walls, Wareham. Said to have been founded by St Aldhem in about 700, the present church was built in 1030 by order of King Cnut, who had earlier been responsible for burning it down before his conversion. The tall nave and chancel are original, although the windows are later. A north aisle was added in the 15th century and the south porch in the 16th, later forming the base of a tower built in 1713. The arms of Queen Anne and the Decalogue are painted on the chancel arch, painted over the arms of Charles I, which in turn cover medieval paintings. In the chancel, there is a 12th century mural depicting the story of St Martin of Tours. The north aisle is mostly filled with a recumbent effigy of T E Lawrence (of Arabia) in Arab robes. It was commissioned by his brother, but was refused space in Westminster Abbey, St Paul's and Salisbury Cathedral. The vicar of nearby Moreton, where Lawrence is buried, refused it as he thought it would spoil the look of his church, and the sculpture came to rest here in 1939.

Amazing visit. Lawrence of Arabia statue is definitely worth a visit. 👍🏻😊

Excellent small church standing on the North Walls on the east side of the gateway into the town. The most complete example of a Saxon church in Dorset dating back to 1020AD. Interesting 12th century fresco of St Martin. Notable for the effigy of T E Lawrence given to the church in 1939 showing Lawrence in Arab dress, curved dagger in hand.

Stunning old church dating back to the Saxon period..effigy of T.E. Lawrence & beautiful medieval wall paintings, thankfully not white washed over. Well worth a visit.

Beautiful little church with origins dating back to Saxon times, so there are sections that are over 1,000 years old. There are interesting frescoes and memorials painted on the walls and a memorial effigy of TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). Well worth a visit if you have a spare half hour.

Excellent and extremely rare example of an intact Saxon Church. Mostly they worked in wood. Here in stone. Wall paintings are in evidence. Great place. Walk the walls of the town as well.

I’ve recently moved to Wareham and have visited twice, once on my own and once with some family last week, September 9th. I and we definitely felt the holiness of this church and love it.