The Church of the Holy Name and St Edward the Martyr in Shaftesbury, Dorset, is of considerable historical importance.

Shaftesbury itself is very significant in England's sacred history, being the place where King Alfred the Great founded one of the major pre-Norman abbeys in the year 888 AD, installing his daughter Æthelgifu as the first abbess.

Following King Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church in 1534, this part of England was an important refuge for recusant Catholics, thanks largely to the untiring efforts of the Barons Arundell of Wardour Castle. (Incidentally, the Arundells were also Counts of the Holy Roman Empire, with this title being bestowed on Thomas Arundell in 1595 by Emperor Rudolph II for his military service in Hungary against the invading Turks, when he personally replaced the Turkish standard with the Imperial eagle amid battle.)

In 1907, Lady Arundell purchased land in Shaftesbury on which to build a Catholic church, to whose building fund she was also the principal contributor. The church was opened in 1910. It now serves a large congregation of local Catholics and is something of a sanctuary for the traditional faith.

Unfortunately, after over a century, the church is in serious need of repair. The parishioners are trying to raise the funds needed. Already, they have raised £15,000 ($20,290) of the £55,000 ($74,400) required to cover the renovation.

Please consider helping financially with the repair of this church.