All Saints Church, Millbrook facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints Church
Religion
Affiliation	Church of England
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Active
Location
Location	Millbrook, Cornwall, England
Architecture
Architect(s)	Hine and Odgers of Plymouth
Architectural type	Church
Completed	1895
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name: Church of All Saints
Designated	26 January 1987
Reference no.	1329134

All Saints Church is a Church of England parish church in Millbrook, Cornwall, England, UK. It was built between 1893 and 1895. This church has been a protected historic building, called Grade II listed, since 1987. The war memorial near the church also became Grade II listed in 2016.

History of All Saints Church

Millbrook village first used St Mary's and St Julian's Church in a nearby area called Maker. Later, a smaller church, known as a chapel of ease, was built in Millbrook in 1827. This chapel became the main church for the village when Millbrook became its own parish in 1869.

Why a New Church Was Needed

By the late 1800s, the old church was too small for the growing village. It was also getting old and falling apart. So, people decided to build a brand new church. Fundraising started around 1886. The vicar of Millbrook, Rev. J. E. G. Farmer, and his family gave a large sum of money. They donated £1,500 in memory of Mrs. Farmer's father, Captain Yule.

Building the New Church

More money was collected over the next few years. Lord Clinton and Mr. W. D. Boger donated the land for the church. Mr. Boger also gave stone from his quarry in Plymouth. Both men were part of the building committee. This committee was led by Rev. H. W. Millet, who took over from Rev. Farmer. Another important member was Kenelm William Edward Edgcumbe, the 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.

The plans for the new church were created by architects Messrs Hine and Odgers from Plymouth. Mr. Philip Blowey of Plymouth was hired to build the church. Mr. S. Collings from Millbrook oversaw the construction work.

Laying the Foundation Stone

The first stone of All Saints Church was laid by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe on September 21, 1893. He was a very important member of a group called the Freemasons. Because of this, the ceremony was done with special Masonic traditions. About 300 Freemasons from all over Cornwall came to watch. Many other people from the public also attended. The church building had actually started about two months before this ceremony.

Church Consecration

All Saints Church was officially opened and blessed by the Bishop of Truro, John Gott, on November 1, 1895. This blessing is called a consecration.

Architecture of All Saints Church

All Saints Church is built from strong Plymouth limestone. Its roofs are made of slate. Special details and decorations use different types of stone, including Polyphant, Bath, and Portland stone.

Church Design and Features

The church was designed in a style called the Perpendicular style. It was big enough to hold 560 people. The church has a main area called a nave. It also has a chancel with a vestry (a room for clergy) and an organ chamber. There are aisles on the north and south sides. A south porch was built as the bottom part of what was meant to be a tall tower. However, there wasn't enough money to finish the tower.

Inside the Church

The octagonal (eight-sided) oak pulpit and the altar were made by Mr. Herbert Read of Exeter. They followed the architects' designs. The pulpit was built to remember Dr. E. Worth. Funds raised by Mrs. Little paid for the altar. Mrs. Millet, the vicar's wife, gave the altar cross, vases, and other items. The pine seats in the nave and aisles were made by Mr. J. P. Berry of Plymouth.

The beautiful east window was given by the public. It remembers Mr. William Frederick Lapidge of the Royal Navy. Some items from the old 1827 church were moved to the new one. These included the bell, the font (for baptisms), and the organ. Miss Thomas of Anderton paid to move and update the organ.

Later Additions

A new organ, built by Messrs Hele & Co of Plymouth, was added to the church on September 8, 1909. On April 4, 1948, the Bishop of Truro, Joseph Hunkin, dedicated a stained glass window. He also dedicated a tablet to remember the men from the parish who died in World War II.