All Saints' Church, Falmouth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church, Falmouth
All Saints' Church, Falmouth
50°09′04″N 05°04′35″W / 50.15111°N 5.07639°W / 50.15111; -5.07639
OS grid reference	SW 802 325
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	High Church
Website	http://www.allsaintschurchfalmouth.co.uk/
History
Dedication	All Saints
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II* listed
Designated	23 January 1973
Administration
Parish	Falmouth, Cornwall
Deanery	Carnmarth South
Archdeaconry	Cornwall
Diocese	Truro
Province	Canterbury

All Saints' Church, Falmouth is a special church in Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is part of the Church of England and is known for its beautiful design.

History of All Saints' Church

Building the Church

The first stone for All Saints' Church was laid in 1887. This important event was done by Albert, Prince of Wales. He later became King Edward VII.

The church was designed by a famous architect named J. D. Sedding. He used the Gothic Revival style. This style brings back the look of old medieval churches. The church has narrow side aisles and a very large window at the east end. This window has five tall, narrow sections called lancets.

Church Opening

The church was officially opened on April 17, 1890. Bishop Herbert Bree of Barbados led the ceremony. He stepped in because Bishop George Wilkinson of Truro was unwell.

Design and Carvings

J. D. Sedding designed many parts of the church. These include the wooden choir stalls. These stalls were carved by a company called Trask & Co. He also designed the font, which is a basin used for baptisms. It was made from Devon marble.

After J. D. Sedding passed away, his nephew, Edmund H. Sedding, continued his work. In 1895, Edmund designed the amazing alabaster and marble pulpit. A pulpit is a raised platform where sermons are given. This one was made by J. & E. Goad.

In 1908, Edmund H. Sedding also designed the detailed reredos for the church. A reredos is a screen or decoration behind the altar. While some work was done by Harry Hems, many beautiful wood carvings at All Saints' were created by the Pinwill workshop.

Vicars of All Saints' Church

Here is a list of the main priests, called vicars, who have served All Saints' Church:

• Thomas Taylor (1890–1892) - He was the first vicar.
• Montague Williamson (1918–1924)
• Clifford William George Wood (1924–1963)
• Raymond Lockwood Ravenscroft (1964–1968)
• Donald Young (1969–1970)
• Peter Eustice (1971–1976)
• Edwin George John Stark (1977–1980)
• Albert Edmund Angus Murray-Stone (1981–1983)
• Peter Watts (1984–1994)
• James Stanley Scantlebury (1994–1998)
• Stephen Drakeley (1999–2016)
• Bill Stuart-White (May 2018–present)

The Church Organ

Organ History and Design

All Saints' Church has a very special organ. It was built in 1894 by Hele & Co of Plymouth. At the time, people said it was the second best organ in Cornwall. Only the organ in Truro Cathedral was considered better.

The organ has an elaborate wooden case. This case adds to the beauty of the church's chancel, which is the area around the altar.

Organ Upgrades

The organ cost £750 to build. Some parts of it were planned but not added at first. In 1926, Henry Speechly & Sons of London cleaned and updated the organ. They added new sounds and installed an electric blower. Before this, people had to pump air by hand to make the organ play!

In 1950, Roger Yates, another skilled organ builder, cleaned all the pipes. He also added new features to the organ. Roger Yates was a master at his craft. He trained with Henry Willis III, a very famous organ builder.

Roger Yates made sure the organ's sound fit perfectly with the church's acoustics. This means he made the organ sound amazing in that specific building. He made the Great Diapason Chorus very bright and powerful. Many people still consider this organ one of the best in the county.

Organists of All Saints'