All Saints' Church, Tarrant Keyneston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active |
| Year consecrated | 1853 |
| Location | |
| Location | Tarrant Keyneston, Dorset, England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Thomas Henry Wyatt |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Perpendicular |
All Saints' Church is a historic Church of England building located in Tarrant Keyneston, a village in Dorset, England. Most of the church was rebuilt between 1852 and 1853. However, its tall tower is much older, dating back to the 15th century (the 1400s). This church is a Grade II* listed building, which means it's recognized as a very important historical building.
Contents
History of All Saints' Church
A church has stood in Tarrant Keyneston since at least the early 1300s. We know this because the first church leader, called a rector, was recorded in 1317.
By the mid-1800s, the old church was in poor condition. It was also too small for everyone who wanted to attend services. So, a decision was made to rebuild most of the church. Only the old tower would be kept.
The plans for the new church were drawn up by a famous architect named Thomas Henry Wyatt from London. He was known for designing many churches. A new section, called a north aisle, was added to make more room. The village had about 320 people at the time, and the new church was designed to hold 280.
Funding the Rebuild
The rebuild cost about £1,500, which was a lot of money back then! Most of the cost was paid by Sir John J. Smith, who owned the local manor house. Rev. Henry Austen also gave £300. His father was the church's rector at the time.
Other groups helped too. The Salisbury Diocesan Church Building Society gave £100. The Incorporated Church Building Society gave £70. They had one condition: 209 seats in the new church had to be free. This meant poorer people could attend without paying for a seat.
Construction and Consecration
Permission to demolish and rebuild the church was given in 1852. The entire church, except for the tower, was rebuilt. The old tower was repaired and kept. Thomas Henry Wyatt oversaw all the construction work.
The new church was finished and officially opened on September 23, 1853. The Bishop of Salisbury, Right Rev. Edward Denison, led the special opening ceremony.
Later Changes and Repairs
Over the years, the church has had more updates:
- Around 1912, the churchyard (the area around the church) was made bigger. The church tower also had some repairs.
- Around 1914, three new bells were added to the church. They were put there to remember the rector, Rev. Philip Wingate.
- Around 1970, the pulpit (where the priest gives sermons) was rebuilt. A new roof was also added to the tower.
Architecture of All Saints' Church
All Saints' Church is built from local Melbury stone and flint. It has decorative parts made from Bath stone. The roofs are covered with tiles from Donhead.
The church has several main parts:
- A nave (the main part where people sit)
- A chancel (the area near the altar)
- A north aisle (an extra section on the side)
- A north vestry (a room used by the clergy)
- A south porch (the entrance)
- A west tower (the tall tower at the front)
Most of the church was built in 1852–53. But the two-stage tower is much older, from the 15th century. The tower has a special top edge called an embattled parapet. It also has strong supports called buttresses on its corners. Inside the tower are four bells. One bell is from the 1400s, and the other three are from the 1900s.
Inside the Church
When the church was rebuilt in 1852–53, new items were added:
- A new octagonal (eight-sided) timber pulpit.
- A new octagonal stone font (a basin used for baptisms).
- A reading desk.
- An organ, built in 1853 by Gray and Davison of London.
The communion table, where holy communion is served, is very old, from the 1600s. It has a newer top from the 1800s. The decorative wrought-iron rails around the communion area were added in 1906.
Church Windows
The large window at the east end of the chancel originally had beautiful stained glass. It was made by William Miller of London. The windows on the south side also had stained glass, made by James Powell and Sons.
However, these stained glass windows were replaced with plain glass in 1942. The lead holding the glass together was in very bad condition. It was too expensive to fix, so they were replaced.
Churchyard
The churchyard around All Saints' Church has several old stone tombs. These are called table tombs because they look like stone tables. They have been listed as Grade II monuments since 1986, meaning they are historically important.
Some of the notable tombs include:
- Tombs for members of the Bastard and Barfoot families, including architects Thomas Bastard (died 1731) and John Bastard (died 1778).
- Tombs for members of the Clapcott family, from 1789.
- A tomb for F. Benjafield, from 1791.
- Tombs for members of the Clapcott and Williams families, from 1805.
- A tomb for James Mayo and others, from 1822.
- A tomb for Joseph Scormy and Isaac Randall, from 1844.
- A tomb for Susan Adelaide and Frances Sarah Baverstock, from 1849.
- A tomb for Elizabeth and Rev. Henry Austen, from 1865.
