Church Of All Saints

SU 74 NE CRONDALL CROFT LANE

12/26 CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS 24.11.61 - I

Of earlier origin, the structure is mainly of the period before and after 1200, with a 2-bay chancel and a 4-bay nave, of which the eastern bay originally consisted of a central tower and shallow transepts, identified by arches across the aisles. The nave has round arches on massive piers, with carved caps, and a tall clerestorey, lit by lancets. The chancel is Early English style, with quadripartite vaulting, resting on arches with zig-zag and dog-tooth ornament and clustered columns (some with stiff-leaf caps): lancet windows (later C14 insertions on the south side). The east bay has medieval canopied tombs on the north and south sides. The external staircase (at the north west corner of the chancel) of the central tower (removed in 1657) survives and is used, via external timber walkways, to give access to the replacement tower of 1659. This is a huge red brick structure of medieval form attached to the north side of the chancel, at the east end; it has plain corner pinnacles on octagonal corner buttresses, a parapet, a bell stage having coupled openings (with round arches within rectangular recessed frames) and at the widening floor levels, bands of projecting ornamental brickwork. Supports to the former central tower and at the west end show as massive sloping buttresses. C17 brick north porch. Low pitched leaded (and aluminium) roofing, parapets, roughcast walling. Restored 1871 by Sir G G Scott. Several wall monuments, an old chest, old bells, two brasses and a stone 'barrel' font of Norman date.

Listing NGR: SU8020849570