All Saints Church, Tooting facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints Church, Tooting
51°25′50″N 0°09′26″W / 51.43047°N 0.15733°W / 51.43047; -0.15733
Location	Brudenell Road, Tooting, Greater London, SW17 8DF
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
History
Status	Active
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Designated	14 July 1955
Administration
Parish	All Saints, Tooting
Deanery	Tooting
Archdeaconry	Archdeaconry of Wandsworth
Episcopal area	Kingston Episcopal Area
Diocese	Diocese of Southwark

All Saints Church is a Church of England church located in Tooting, a part of London. It is a special building because it was designed by a famous architect named Temple Moore. The church is also a grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.

History of All Saints Church

Building the Church

All Saints Church was built between 1903 and 1906. Temple Moore was the architect who designed it. The money to build the church came from Lady Augusta Brudenell-Bruce. She wanted to build it to remember her husband, Lord Charles Bruce.

After the church was built, there was a disagreement between Temple Moore and the first priest. Because of this, another architect, Walter Tapper, took over the interior design. The church was officially opened and blessed in 1907.

Church Style and Features

The church is built in the Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like older Gothic churches from the Middle Ages. It has a main area called a nave with two side sections called aisles. There's also a tower on the north side. The church also has a special area for the choir and altar, called a chancel, and a small chapel dedicated to Mary, called a Lady Chapel.

On July 14, 1955, All Saints Church was officially recognized as a grade II listed building. This shows how important its architecture and history are.

Amazing Music at the Church

All Saints Church is known for its excellent sound quality. It has a fantastic organ built by Harrison & Harrison in 1906. In 2014, this organ was given a special Grade II* listing by the British Institute of Organ Studies. This means it's a very important musical instrument.

The church also has a smaller organ and a Yamaha grand piano. Many famous singers have recorded music here. These include opera stars like Luciano Pavarotti, Dame Kiri te Kanawa, and Plácido Domingo. The album A Garland for Linda was also recorded at All Saints in 1999.

All Saints Church Today

Today, All Saints Church in Tooting is an active parish. It is part of the Diocese of Southwark. The church continues to serve its community.

Notable People Connected to the Church

Several important religious leaders have worked at All Saints Church:

• Nicholas Frayling was the vicar from 1974 to 1983. He later became the Dean of Chichester.
• Peter Maurice was vicar from 1996 to 2003. He later became the Bishop of Taunton.
• Graham Smith served his training period here. He later became the Dean of Norwich.
• Christopher Pullin also served his training period here. He is now a Canon Chancellor at Hereford Cathedral.

Gallery

• 

  Cathedra

• 

  Baptismal font

• 

  Organ

• 

  Pulpit

• 

  Altar

• 

  Stained glass

• 

  Choir stalls

• 

  Wall monument