Whilst there are 12th century origins, (such as at the west end of north arcade), All Saints is mostly from the 15th century. It was restored in 1854-6 by Gilbert Scott, and greatly embellished by Ninian Comper in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Note his organ screen and statues on the arcade brackets. His original high altar is now in the south aisle; the present high altar reredos dates from 1899. The dog toothed double piscina in the south aisle has similarities with the font at the west end and both could be from the 12th century, when the town’s renowned cloth fair made it wealthy. The elaborate 15thc west door with tracery and flanking niches has carvings of a rabbit’s head on one door and the tail end of a rabbit on the other. The spire has been replaced four times; three times after storm damage and most recently, in 1924, after an aircraft accident in which the pilot was sadly killed.
Yes, All Saints is a member of CHCT.
No grants applied for.
