Church Of All Saints'

LAXFIELD THE STREET TM 27 SE

9/52 Church of All Saints' - 29.7.55 GV I

Parish church. Medieval; east bay of nave and whole of chancel rebuilt 1827. Nave, chancel, west tower, south porch. Nave and porch of flint rubble, with stone dressings; the tower is largely faced in dressed stone. 1827 work faced in white brick except to north where there is random rubblework. Slated roofs. Very fine late C15 tower in 4 stages, with polygonal clasping buttresses. Good flushwork panelling to buttresses, the belfry stage and the whole of the west face. Enriched west doorway with carved spandrels; above is a quatrefoil frieze and a 4-light window flanked by canopied niches. 4-light belfry openings. Crenellated parapet with stone panelling and tall pinnacles with crocketted spirelets. Early C14 nave in 5 bays, the windows later replacements in Perpendicular style except for one to north. Easternmost bay has C19 3- light windows with intersecting Y-tracery. C15 porch, repaired in C18 with red brick: knapped flint facade flanked by buttresses each containing a canopied statue niche; entrance arch hung with shields, and with carved shields in the spandrels. Remains of a vaulted roof. The porch was intended to have an upper storey and is said to have been left incomplete. Small chancel with later additions; a 3-light east window. Interior. The scissor- braced trussed rafter nave roof spans 11m; the arched braces spring from posts supported by short hammerbeams, at the end of which are carved heads. Coved cornice. In south west angle of nave is the niche of a banner stave locker. Fine octagonal font of c.1500, carved with the Seven Sacraments and the Baptism of Christ. Tall 2-stepped base with traceried risers, the upper step with raised sections forming a Maltese Cross. Nave seating comprises: (i) 4 fine poppyhead benches with carved ends and backs and mutilated arm-rests; (ii) 13 poppyhead benches of 1622; (iii) C18 box pews incorporating re-used C15 and C17 poppyhead benches and C16 and C17 panelling, much of it elaborately carved; (iv) at the west end tiered boys' seats of early C19, incorporating early C17 work. At the nave east end is a dado of re-used panelling. Good C15 rood screen with traceried dado and ogee-arched traceried divisions above. Early C17 carved pulpit and contemporary reading desk in similar style. Arms of Anne over north door.

Listing NGR: TM2961772444