There are two St Edmund’s and the Saint that St Edmund’s Church In Lanehouse Rocks Road is dedicated to is St Edmund of Canterbury. Here is a précis of his life.
Edmund Rich was born at Abingdon when the 12th century was nearing its end. He was the eldest of four children. He enjoyed the privilege of a truly Christian home. It is claimed that he once received a clear vision of the Christ-child who smiled and beckoned him to a life of prayer and service.
Edmund’s education began at a school in nearby Oxford. From there he went to Paris, begging his way there in spite of the wealth which had given his father the name of Rich. Eventually, he returned to Oxford as an eminent leader of learning. It was in 1222 that Edmund became the devoted treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral. The work of building our great cathedral was then in full swing and, by a freak coincidence, Edmund Rich found himself serving as treasurer under a Bishop whose name was Richard Poore! During this period as treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral he was also the vicar of Calne in Wiltshire. In 1233 he was called to the tremendous responsibility of the highest office in the Church of England as Archbishop of Canterbury.
Edmund was no foreign Saint. He was English to the backbone. He loved freedom and hated oppression. In 1240 he left England for the Abbey of Pontigny in France where his predecessors St Thomas of Canterbury and Stephen Langton had found refuge before him. Within a month on November 16th 1240 he died. In 1246 his name was placed among the Saints of the church.
Beneath the high altar in the Abbey of Pontigny is the shrine where rests the holy remains of Edmund Rich. The Abingdon boy, the Oxford scholar, the treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral, the parish priest of Calne, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Saint of God. It is in his honour, and to his memory, that the church of St Edmund in Lanehouse Rocks Road, Weymouth is consecrated.
If you wish to know more about the history of St Edmund’s church you will find information in a booklet entitled "St Edmund of Canterbury" on the book stand in the church.