All Saints' Church, Oakham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church, Oakham |
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All Saints' Church from the footpath between Church Street and Market Place
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church / Central |
| Website | oakhamteam.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | All Saints |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Oakham |
| Deanery | Rutland |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Oakham |
| Diocese | Diocese of Peterborough |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
All Saints' Church, Oakham is a special church in the town of Oakham, Rutland, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This church is very old and important, so it is listed as a Grade I listed building. This means it has a lot of history and beautiful architecture.
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Discovering All Saints' Church
The tall, pointed top of Oakham church, called its spire, can be seen from far away. It stands out in the landscape for many miles. The impressive tower and spire were built in the 1300s. This was during a time when a style called Decorated Gothic was popular. Most of the rest of the church building was built a bit later. It uses a style called Perpendicular, which is another type of Gothic architecture.
Some parts of the church are even older. The south doorway and its porch seem to be the oldest sections. The doorway probably dates back to the early 1200s. The porch was added later in that same century.
Inside the church, you will find a bright and open space. You can see more examples of the Decorated style from the 1300s. The tall, thin pillars in the main part of the church, called the nave, have amazing carvings. These carvings show animals, birds, people, plants, and scenes from the Bible. You can spot carvings of Adam and Eve, their leaving the Garden of Eden, and the Annunciation (when an angel told Mary she would have Jesus). There is also a carving of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary. Look closely, and you might even find a cool carving known as a Green Man.
The church is a Grade I listed building because of its historical and architectural importance. It was carefully repaired and updated between 1857 and 1858 by a famous architect named Sir George Gilbert Scott.
The Church Bells
The church has a set of bells that have a long history. During the church's restoration in 1858, the bells were given a new place to hang. They were also put into a new wooden frame. Two of the bells were even melted down and recast by a company called Mears of London.
Today, there are eight main bells that were made by Gillett & Johnston in 1910. There is also a smaller bell, called a priest's bell, from 1840.
In 1923, one of the largest bells, called the tenor bell, actually broke loose! Luckily, it got caught in the bell frame. It did not fall into the room below where people ring the bells. The bell frame was not in good shape in 1937. Because of this, the bells could not be rung for the coronation of King George VI.
The Magnificent Organ
All Saints' Church has a beautiful organ. The first organ was put in the Lady Chapel in 1872. It was built by a company called Brindley & Foster and cost £750. This was a lot of money back then! The organ was made bigger in 1896.
In 1937, Roger Yates improved the organ and made it work with electricity. He also moved it to a different part of the church. This old organ was removed in 1994.
The church now has a newer pipe organ. It was built in 1996 by Kenneth Tickell and Company. This organ has two keyboards, called manuals. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
Organists Through the Years
Many talented musicians have played the organ at All Saints' Church. Here are some of the people who have served as organists:
- Mr. Gadsby 1872 –
- Henry Nicholson 1877 – 1922
- John Barham Johnson 1923 – 1925
- George Newell 1925 – 1927
- George F. Austin 1927
- A.H. Allsop 1927 – 1930
- Victor Brook 1930 – 1932
- John Dalby 1932 – 1936
- Stanley Nolan 1939 – ????
- Russell Arthur Missin 1950 – 1956 (he later became the organist at Newcastle Cathedral)
- Derek Thomas 1958 – 1984
- Ivan Linford 1996 – 1999
- Kevin Slingsby 2005 – 2021
- Dr. August Guan 2021 – 2023 (he later became a sub-organist at Brecon Cathedral)
- Harry Jacques 2023 –
Working Together: The Parish Team
All Saints' Church in Oakham is part of a "team ministry." This means it works together with several other churches in the area. They share resources and support each other. Here are some of the other churches in the team:
- St Andrew's Church, Hambleton
- St Edmund's Church, Egleton
- All Saints' Church, Braunston-in-Rutland
- St Peter's Church, Brooke, Rutland
- Church of St Peter and St Paul, Langham
- St Andrew's Church, Whissendine
- Holy Trinity Church, Teigh
- St Mary's Church, Ashwell, Rutland
- Church of St Peter and St Paul, Market Overton
Gallery
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All Saints' Church seen from Northgate
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Inside All Saints' Church, looking towards the font
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An early 14th-century carving showing a fox, geese, and other creatures
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An early 14th-century carving of the Angel Gabriel (part of the Annunciation scene) on the left, and Adam and Eve between Christ and the Jaws of Hell on the right
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An early 14th-century carving of a Green Man
