All Saints' Church, Reading facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church |
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The frontage of the church
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 All Saints' Church
Location in Reading, Berkshire
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| 51°27′5.04″N 0°59′17.83″W / 51.4514000°N 0.9882861°W | |
| Location | Reading |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | http://www.achurchnearyou.com/reading-all-saints/ |
| History | |
| Founded | 1865 |
| Dedication | All Saints |
| Consecrated | 1865 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Architect(s) | James Piers St Aubyn |
| Style | Gothic |
| Completed | 1874 |
| Administration | |
| Archdeaconry | Berkshire |
| Diocese | Oxford |
All Saints' Church is a special church in Reading, England. It is part of the Church of England. You can find it on Downshire Square, a pretty area in West Reading. This church shares a parish with St. Mark's Church.
Contents
Building the Church
Why All Saints' Church Was Built
All Saints' Church was built a long time ago. Construction started in 1865 and finished in 1874. It was needed because more people were moving to the Bath Road area of Reading. The main church, St Mary's, was getting too small. So, All Saints' was built as a "daughter church" to help serve the growing community.
Who Designed the Church
A famous architect named James Piers St Aubyn designed the church. He was known for his Gothic style. This means the church has tall, pointed arches and detailed stonework.
What the Church Looks Like
The church is made from strong stone with a tiled roof. It has a large main area called a nave with side sections called aisles. There are also short transepts, which are like arms extending from the main body of the church.
Inside, you can see beautiful painted arches. There is also a special curved area called an apse with five windows. The church has amazing murals made of mosaics. The most impressive one is a glass mosaic behind the altar. It shows a scene of the Last Supper. This beautiful artwork was made by Antonio Salviati in London and put in the church in 1866.
There were plans to build a tall tower on the south side of the church. The foundations were laid, but the tower was never finished.
Church Music and Organ
Music has always been important at All Saints' Church. When the church first opened, it had a small organ. This organ was lent to the church by someone known as "Father Willis."
Between 1874 and 1883, the organ was made much bigger. It got a triple keyboard and many more pipes. This improved organ has been used for music ever since. It still sounds wonderful today!
Making the Church Better
The church is currently working on an exciting project. They want to make the building more modern and easier for everyone to use. This includes adding new toilet facilities. They also want to improve access for people with disabilities. The goal is to make the church welcoming for all, while keeping its unique and historic look.
A Special Building
All Saints' Church is a very important building. English Heritage has given it a special status called "Grade II listed building". This means it's a historic building that needs to be protected. It's recognized for its special architecture and history.
