Church Of All Saints

SU 21 SE MINSTEAD CHURCH LANE

4/24 CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS 8.10.59 GV I

Parish church. Early C13, 1683 porch, 1774 tower, late C18 large south transeptual extension, early C19 north family pew room and schoolroom against porch, and C19 vestry. Rubble stone roughcast, additions brick with stone, stone dressings, part rendered with incised masonry lines, old plain tile roofs. Plan of C13 chancel, C19 south vestry and north gabled addition for family pew; nave has similar north-east addition for schoolroom against north porch, on south large, long, gabled transeptual addition of c1800, and to west 1774 tower. East end of nave has early C19 Gothic double lancet east window. South vestry. North gabled projection with off-centre timber pointed window. Nave has to north- east gabled larger projection with C18 domestic 3-light segmental-head window, outshot on west side down to north porch. Gable has heavy frame to rounded doorway, over is carved 'REWSCW 1683'. Inside c1200 Transitional north door of 2 continuous orders and label on abaci. To west is staircase to schoolroom. Beside porch is high-set 2-light window. On roof to east gabled dormer and similar higher-up to west. On south, large transeptual room has 3-light windows and lower roof. To west nave has squareheaded 3-light trefoiled window, and 2-light window over. Skylight on roof. Square-plan tower has north door under semicircular fanlight with stone key and string at springing that runs right round. In 2nd stage roundheaded openings on each face with stone keys. On each face at top semicircular louvred opening. Cornice and low parapet, on top fleche with weathervane. Inside chancel has C18 panelling and prayer boards to east. To north, panelling in front of family pew and remains of lancet. Barrel-vaulted roof. Early C13 2-chamfered order chancel arch on 3 engaged shafts, rebuilt. Under 3 steps down, beside remains of C15 screen. Nave has in south east 3-decker pulpit under hexagonal canopy, part C17. To north high set archway into schoolroom. To south wall cut away, with only central cast-iron post to lintel on walls, monuments to Comptons. To west early C18 panelled gallery and above it early C19 upper gallery. On front bequest boards of 1667 and 1814. Behind remains of C13 tower arch ( 3 bells dated 1604). Below pulpit is c1200 Purbeck font of square bowl with tapering sides. On sides carvings of Christ, opposite Agnus Dei, on other sides eagles and lions. Most pews are C17 with moulded top-rails. Good example of church not restored by Victorians with pre-tracterian layout. VCH; Vol IV; 1911; p638.

Listing NGR: SU2593709486