Church Of All Saints

Church of All Saints

An Anglican parish church at West Winterslow, composed of early 12th and 13th century fabric with substantial restoration undertaken in 1866 by T.H. Wyatt. The building is constructed of flint with limestone dressings and a tiled roof.

The church comprises a nave with north and south aisles, the south porch being raised as a tower, and a simple chancel. The exterior displays 1866 work throughout, featuring square-headed windows with cinquefoiled lights: one, two and three lights respectively to the south aisle and chancel, and ogee tracery to the north aisle. The east and west windows are three lights in Perpendicular style. Angle buttresses support the walls. The tower rises in two stages, with a single light serving the ringing chamber and two-light bell openings. A crenellated parapet surmounts the tower, topped by a pyramidal tiled roof. The porch entrance has an outer arch with queen and bishop label terminals, and a boarded inner door.

Interior

The nave and south aisle arcade dates to the early 12th century, comprising four round arches on cross piers with chamfered capitals. The north aisle was added in the early 13th century and features an arcade of round columns with bases and capitals carrying slightly pointed arches. Much of the medieval fabric was reworked or renewed during the 1866 restoration. The roof is 19th century, consisting of four bays with open arch braced trusses on corbels and intermediate trusses; the aisle roofs are also 19th century. Narrow arches at the east end of the arcade open on the north side to an extension of the aisle. The chancel arch dates to the 13th century, but the chancel itself is entirely 19th century, finished with plaster and a three-bay open roof, with a south priest's door.

Fittings include a 12th century font, a simple tub with lead lining. The pulpit retains 17th century carved work depicting apostles, two with Gothic surrounds, repaired in the 19th century with brass candleholders added. An organ by Clark of Bath has been recased. Stained glass of 19th century date appears in the east and west windows; the north aisle contains a 1918 window in colourful Pre-Raphaelite style. A legacy board is located in the south aisle.

A 18th century fielded panelled chest stands at the west end of the nave. The vestry contains a 19th century Persian runner and a simple drop leaf table.

Monuments

The church preserves an extensive series of monuments recording the prominent local families, particularly the Thistlethwaytes.

In the nave: a formal marble tablet on grey gabled field with pediment, arms and mantling, to Elizabeth Egerton of Roche Court, died 1830.

The north aisle contains four wall tablets. The easternmost is a white marble tablet with fine Baroque surround, featuring curtains, putti and a death's head, with a coloured torch above, commemorating Dorothy Thistlethwayte (died 1715) and her husband John (added 1724). This is a fine example of Baroque work. A marble shield-shaped tablet with low relief putti in the top corners commemorates Margreta Cooper (died 1771) with other family members added. A shorter shield-shaped marble tablet records John and Mary Cooper (died 1732) and others. A lozenge-shaped marble tablet with oval cushioned Latin inscription, scroll, putti at the sides and coloured arms below commemorates Peregrine Thistlethwayte (died 1694), also a fine Baroque example.

The south aisle contains seven wall monuments. Two 20th century wall memorials in alabaster and limestone occupy the eastern positions. A slate panel within limestone projecting surround on brackets, with a free-standing supported oval painted arms above, in bold florid lettering, commemorates John Thistlethwayte (died 1647). A similar design with cornice and larger arms above carries a Latin inscription to Cecilia Thistlethwayte (died 1637). A comparable tablet with English inscription records Gabriell Pile (died 1637). Three further similar tablets, without arms above, commemorate Giles Thistlethwayte (died 1657), Alexander Thistlethwayte (died 1715), and others. These monuments form an interesting group that unequivocally records relationships and inheritance among local families.

The chancel contains further monuments. On the north wall: a white gabled tablet on grey by Osmond to Matthew Marsh, BD (died 1840), and a small slate tablet with moulded limestone frame and cornice to Dorothy Stanesby (died 1587). On the south wall: a simple white tablet on grey by Osmond to Catherine Thistlethwayte Pelham (died 1827); a limestone tablet with egg and dart surround to Margaret Marsh (died 1862); and a limestone tablet to Geoffrey Codrington and his wife of Roche Court, commemorating the refurbishing of the chancel in 1975.