Church Of All Saints

The Church of All Saints is a parish church dating back to the 12th century, with alterations in the 13th century and a significant restoration in 1866, followed by further changes in 1904. The church is constructed of sandstone rubble and tufa, with sandstone ashlar dressings, and features plain tiled roofs, a parapet at the east end, and a shingled timber bell-turret. It combines elements of Norman and Early English architectural styles.

The nave, extended westward in the 13th century, has buttresses at its southeast end. The west gable features a 19th-century cusped lancet window, while the north elevation has a similar lancet to the east, a smaller 13th-century lancet to the west, and a narrow 13th-century doorway between them. The south elevation mirrors the north in window arrangement, and includes late 18th-century wall memorials to the Nash and Spilsbury families, an early 19th-century memorial to the Price family, and two other memorials, one from the mid-19th century and one illegible.

The south porch, built in 1904, is gabled and timber-framed, resting on chamfered sandstone ashlar. It has moulded bargeboards, a pendant finial, a brattished tie-beam, and double doors with a cambered head and side lights. Its side elevations contain panels of leaded glass. The original 13th-century doorway to the porch is of one chamfered order, and above it is a 12th-century panel carved with an Agnus Dei, likely removed from a previous doorway. The bell-turret has a square base with a square stone sundial, an octagonal splay-footed spire, and a cast iron weathervane.

The chancel, originally 12th century, has a rebuilt east end dating from the 19th century, featuring diagonal corner buttresses, a three-light window with a hood mould, and returns. A 12th-century light is present on the north elevation, alongside a 19th-century brick lean-to addition with an east doorway and a tall brick stack. The south elevation has a 13th-century doorway.

Inside, the church is plastered throughout. A plain, semi-circular 12th-century chancel arch springs from plain abaci, with the west faces of which are cut away, possibly for a former chancel screen; a niche is situated above the arch on the east side. A former south doorway in the nave wall has been blocked to create a round-headed recess. The nave and chancel have ashlared arch-braced collar rafter roofs, with two large lateral beams supporting the bell-turret frame. A 19th-century aumbry is incorporated into the chancel. Furnishings include late 16th-century panels and turned posts used in the priest’s and bishop’s chair and lectern, a 12th-century circular font with a 19th-century stem, and a 19th-century pulpit with three concave sides carved with diaper panels. The chancel holds a large sarcophagus relief by J Stephens commemorating James Wakeman Newport Charlett, who died in 1838, as well as two early 18th-century memorials to the Newport family and a small late 18th-century memorial. The east window is probably by Hardman.