Church Of All Saints (Messing)

The Church of All Saints in Messing is a Grade II* listed building that dates back to the 13th century and later. It is constructed from stone rubble, conglomerate, and Roman brick, with limestone dressings and a red plain tile roof. The west tower, built around 1840, features three tiers in red brick with stone dressings and buttresses. The south chapel and vestry, also from circa 1840, are made of red brick and have a red plain tile roof. The nave, which is from the 14th century, underwent extensive restoration in the 19th century.

All windows are now from the 19th century but are designed in a 14th-century style. There are remains of a 14th-century north doorway with moulded reveals, while the south wall has been completely refaced. The nave roof, dating from the 15th century, consists of six bays and seven cants, supported by moulded ashlar plates. The principal rafters are arch-braced to collars and feature carved angels with shields at their bases, with a flowered boss at the apex. A hammer beam truss against the east wall includes carved angels at the ends of the hammer beams.

The chancel, from the 13th century, has a 17th-century east window with three lights and tracery in a two-centred head. There are mid-14th-century windows in both the north and south walls, each with two ogee lights and tracery in a two-centred head. A 13th-century lancet window is now blocked, as is an early 16th-century brick doorway with chamfered jambs and a four-centred arch in a square head. Inside, there is a 13th-century iron-bound chest with three locks and two lids. The chancel features 17th-century oak panelling with Corinthian pilasters, an entablature, a dentilled cornice, and a frieze adorned with cherub heads. The panels include an oval with carved spandrels, and this design extends to the integral stalls. The Royal Arms, dated 1634, are located in the south chapel, and the chancel paving is made of 17th-century black and white marble, which includes an inscription.