St Clement's Church is one of three Grade I listed churches in Bournemouth; along with St Stephen's and St Peter's.[1] The church stands on St Clements Road in Boscombe and is recorded by Historic England as being in poor condition.[2]
The church was built between 1871 and 1873 and was the first major church designed by J. D. Sedding.[3]
The church became listed on 5 May 1952.
The church was completely restored ready for the centenary in 1973. The historic Gray and Davison organ was also restored at this time by John Budgen.The church remained in very good repair until at least 1991, when the last Vicar of the parish, William Albert Aries, retired.
The church was taken over by Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in 2016. At this time there was some temporary internal remodeling, as a result of an Archdeacon's temporary license. No structural changes were permitted because the church is a grade one listed building, having been John Dando Sedding's first major work. No restoration took place, in fact the tower has been allowed to become dangerous under HTB's stewardship. This was despite the tower having been restored in the middle 1980s. [4]
In recent years the church has been reported as being scene to a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour order; including drug dealing and indecent exposure.[5] [6]