England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Portchester St Mary

The Parish

The parish of Portchester lies on the southern coastline of mainland Hampshire, midway between the market town of Fareham and the port of Portsmouth being roughly 3 miles east of the former and 4 miles northwest of the latter as the seagull flies. Portchester is a large town today covering an area roughly 2 miles deep and a mile across and sitting on the A27 road which forms Hampshire coast road. Portchester has a long history, eclipsing that of nearby Portsmouth, reputedly a pre-Roman British strong point it was expanded and strengthened by the Romans. The castle they built was enlarged and strengthened by the Normans following the Conquest and Portchester became the main seat of the British Navy. Sadly silting of the harbour meant a move to Portsmouth was required and Portchester lapsed into history. As a coastal settlement Portchester would have had a diverse economy, the nearby harbour providing fishing and shell-fisheries to supplement the normal farming economy. The presence of nearby Portsmouth ensured a link with naval and marine forces to this day. Modern developments abound, the main coastal rail line was constructed through the parish giving Portchester a station whilst to the north run the modern M27 motorway, these communications have made Portchester not only a commuting centre to both Portsmouth & Southampton but also attracted light industry to the town. As a coastal settlement numerous small streams drain into the nearby harbour and out to the wider English Channel. Portchester is sited at sea level but has spread inland and the higher parts approach 90 metres higher, the whole coastal strip is backed by chalk downland of Ports Down where local heights top out at 115 metres. Portchester parish was small in extent, it covered just over 1,100 acres but would have supported a population of around 750 parishioners, the population today is close to 18,000 showing the recent expansion. In Domesday times Portchester was mainly held by one William Mauduit with a smaller holding retained by King William; collectively the parish could offer just 6 ploughs but held a mill and a fishery.

The Church

St Mary's church sits on the shores of Portsmouth Harbour at the furthest reaches to the southeast of the parish and sits alongside the castle in an attractive location. St Mary is rightfully described by Pevsner as an "outstanding Romanesque church" and is well worth a visit. The earliest records indicate that an Augustinian priory was founded in 1133 within the outer bailey of the castle site, it is thought that a previous parish church occupied this site. The basic structure of aisleless nave, central tower, transepts, chancel and a northern chapel is essentially unchanged Norman Romanesque of the mid 12th century, a very survivor of time and the restorers. A fire in 1705 necessitated some changes, mainly replacing of damaged roofing, whilst later restorations of 1867 & 1888 were at least superficial so we see this church as its initial builders intended, That Pevsner account extends to almost 4 pages of his 1967 edition is indicative of the importance of St Mary as a piece of the Hampshire and, indeed, National heritage. The church is accessed along Castle Street which runs southeastwards to the shoreline from the town centre, where this morphs into Church Lane a small car park sits to the west and the best approach is on foot, approaching through the outer bailey wall by the formidable gateway is a treat. The whole site is open and has no obstructions to photography.