Church Of All Saints

The Church of All Saints is a parish church largely dating to the early 13th century, with significant additions and alterations made in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. A porch was added in 1683, a tower in 1774, a large south transeptual extension in the late 18th century, a north family pew room and schoolroom in the early 19th century, and a vestry also in the 19th century. It is constructed of roughcast rubble stone with brick additions, stone dressings, and some rendered areas featuring incised masonry lines. The roofs are of old plain tiles.

The church’s plan includes a 13th-century chancel and nave, a 19th-century south vestry and a north gabled addition for a family pew; a schoolroom links to the north-east of the nave against the north porch. A large, long, gabled transeptual addition of around 1800 extends to the south, and the tower was built in 1774. The east end of the nave has an early 19th-century Gothic double lancet window. A north gabled projection includes an 18th-century domestic, three-light segmental-head window. West of the north porch, this projection extends westward. The porch incorporates a rounded doorway framed by an elaborate moulding, carved with 'REWSCW 1683'. A 12th-century Transitional archway with two continuous orders and a label on abaci is located on the north side of the church, leading to a staircase for the schoolroom. A high-set two-light window sits beside the porch. Dormers are visible in the roof, one to the east and a taller one to the west. The south transeptual room features three-light windows and a lower roofline. The nave’s south wall has a square-headed three-light trefoiled window and a two-light window above. A skylight is visible on the roof. The square-plan tower has a north door with a semicircular fanlight, a stone key, and a string course that runs around it. Roundheaded openings with stone keys are present on each face of the second stage, and semicircular, louvred openings are at the top. A cornice, low parapet and fleche with weathervane complete the tower.

Inside the chancel, 18th-century panelling and prayer boards face east. North of the chancel, panelling screens the family pew, with remains of a lancet window visible. A barrel-vaulted roof is present. The early 13th-century chancel arch is a two-chamfered order on three engaged shafts, and has been rebuilt. To the west of the chancel are the remains of a 15th-century screen. The nave contains a three-decker pulpit with a hexagonal canopy, partly dating to the 17th century. A high-set archway leads into the schoolroom. The south wall has been cut away, with only a central cast-iron post supporting a lintel, alongside monuments to the Compton family. An early 18th-century panelled gallery and an early 19th-century upper gallery are also present, displaying bequest boards from 1667 and 1814. Behind the chancel is the remains of a 13th-century tower arch, housing three bells dated 1604. A Purbeck font from around 1200 features a square bowl with tapering sides, carved with depictions of Christ, an Agnus Dei, eagles, and lions. Most pews are 17th century, with moulded top rails. The church represents a good example of a building that largely escaped Victorian restoration, retaining its pre-Victorian layout.