Description
Todbere, a small parish in Dorsetshire, 4 miles from Sturminster Newton station on the Somerset and Dorset railway, 4 1/2 of Gillingham station on the L. & S.W.R., and 4 W of Shaftesbury. Post town, Blandford; telegraph office, Marnhull. Acreage, 386; population, 138. With the exception of 21 acres of glebe, the land belongs to Lord Stalbridge. The living is attached to Stour Provost, and is in the gift of King's College, Cambridge. The old parish church, except the quaint little tower, was rebuilt in 1879 by the late Marchioness of Westminster.
Parish Church
The church, dedication unknown, was rebuilt, with the exception of the tower, in 1879, by Elizabeth Marchioness of Westminster, on the old site, in the Early English and Perpendicular styles: it consists of chancel, nave, vestry, and a tower containing 2 bells, dated 1736-7, one of which was recast in 1879: there is a memorial window to the Rev. Richard Pratt M.A. for 17 years curate of this church and Stour Provost, d. 1878: the communion table is formed of the ancient altar stone, supported on massive pedestals of oak: the oak pulpit is a simple but elegant work of the Caroline period: the octagonal font is surmounted by a carved oak cover.
The register dates from the year 1653.
