Church Of All Saints

The Church of All Saints is a parish church dating back to the 12th century, with significant additions and alterations in 1904-5 by J B Colson and G H Kitchin. It is constructed of flint, rendered on the older parts, with stone dressings and an old plain tile roof. The original building comprised a Norman nave and chancel with a west bell-turret, and a south aisle and chapel was added in 1905. A north porch and a new nave and chancel extending east and west of the original church, alongside a south transeptual vestry, were also incorporated at this time.

The east end of the original chancel features a 3-light early 14th century window with intersecting tracery, buttressed to the south. The north side has two 13th century round-headed lancet windows, one of which is high-set. A small square-headed cinquefoiled opening and round-headed lancet are located on the north nave wall. A gabled porch of early 20th century date, with a round-headed doorway in Norman style, stands west of centre. The porch doorway has two orders, the outer order beaded on imposts of chevrons, the inner order featuring chevron work. A studded door with strap hinges is set within, accompanied by a round-headed lancet to the west. A reused 18th century railing encloses the area west of the porch. The original nave’s west window is a 15th century 2-light cinquefoiled window with a transom and a 12th century lancet above. The west bellcote is square-plan and weatherboarded with a hipped roof. The east end of the new nave has a wide 3-light cinquefoiled window and a reused pointed window on a projecting north wall. The south wall incorporates a reused square-headed 2-light window and a pointed entrance. The vestry has a 20th century square-headed window and an outshot to the west with a door. The new nave features a reused Norman doorway like the north door, and high-set square-headed 2-light cinquefoiled windows on each side, one of which is 17th century. A tall 3-light cinquefoiled window with a transom is located to the west, while the original chancel has splayed rear arches to its windows, displaying wall paintings on the splay of the northeast lancet. A pointed arcade leads to the new chancel on the south side, and the interior contains 20th-century fittings in a medieval style, along with some old timber. A 13th century pillar piscina is situated in the southeast corner. A number of floor slabs commemorate Thomas Hackett (1661), John Harris (1661), Phoebe Harris (1659), Taverner Harris (1685), and Harris children (various dates, 17th century). Splayed rear arches are visible behind the nave lancets, and a tall 15th century arch is positioned behind the west window. The interior features a 5-bay arcade of pointed arches resting on octagonal piers, with a low fourth west arch to preserve the lancet above. The roof is clad in 19th century boarding. Memorials include those to John Barton (1681), John Harris (1661 - of alabaster with slate panels), Philip Williams and his wife (1830), and George Huntingford (1831). A Norman font, square with a rounded top on a central pillar with four corner columns, is also present. The newer parts of the church showcase many Arts & Crafts motifs and reused windows identified by brass plates. A fine arched brace nave roof and a pulpit with 17th century balusters are notable features, along with a 1787 monument to Sarah Williams.