All Saints Church, Wandsworth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints Church, Wandsworth
Southwest view of the church
Location	Wandsworth High Street, Wandsworth, Greater London, SW18 4LA
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Evangelical Anglicanism
Website	https://www.wandsworth.church/
History
Status	Active
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade II* listed
Administration
Parish	All Saints, Wandsworth
Archdeaconry	Archdeaconry of Wandsworth
Diocese	Diocese of Southwark

All Saints Church, Wandsworth is a very old and important church in Wandsworth High Street, London. It is a Church of England parish church. This means it serves the local community. It is also the original parish church for the area of Wandsworth. Reverend David Simpson became the Vicar (the main priest) of the church in 2023. He joined All Saints after working at Holy Trinity Brompton.

A Look at the Church's History

How Old is All Saints Church?

People have worshipped at this spot for a very long time. Records show there has been a church here since at least 1234. That's almost 800 years ago! In 1234, a person named John de Panormo was allowed to look after the church in Wandsworth. He also looked after a church in Italy.

The Church Building Today

The church building you see now started to take shape in 1630. However, only the tower is from that exact time. The north side of the church was built later, in 1716. Most of the rest of the church was rebuilt in 1780.

More changes happened in the 1800s. In 1841, the tower was made stronger. This was so it could hold a new set of heavy church bells. A new part of the church, called the chancel, was finished in 1900. This part was designed by an architect named E. W. Mountford.

Today, All Saints Church works closely with another nearby church called Holy Trinity. In 2019, a new group called 'Christ Church All Saints' started meeting at All Saints. This group is led by Reverend Andy O'Brien.

Inside All Saints Church

What to See Inside

The inside of All Saints Church is very interesting. It has columns that look like they are made of marble, but they are actually wood painted to look that way. These columns are in a style similar to the famous architect Robert Adam. There is also a decorative band (a frieze) and a fancy border (a cornice) at the top of the walls.

Some old memorials from the very first church are still here. You can see a brass plaque for a soldier who fought for King Henry V of England. There are also memorials for Susannah Powell (from 1620) and Alderman Henry Smith (from 1627). These monuments tell stories of people from long ago.

Images for kids

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  Plaque on the tower remembering the strengthening work in 1841

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  Inside view of All Saints Church

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  The font, used for baptisms

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  A closer look at the church tower