All Saints Church, Dorchester

All Saints Church is a redundant Church of England church in Dorchester, Dorset, England. Designed by Benjamin Ferrey and built in 1843-45, the church is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

All Saints Church
All Saints Church
Religion
AffiliationChurch of England
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusRedundant
Year consecrated1845
Location
LocationDorchester, Dorset, England
Geographic coordinates50.7154°N 2.4355°W / 50.7154; -2.4355
Architecture
Architect(s)Benjamin Ferrey
TypeChurch

History

The site of All Saints is considered to have been occupied by a church since the Norman period, although the earliest records date to the 12th century.[2] The original church is believed to have been destroyed by fire in 1613 and subsequently rebuilt. A decision was made to rebuild the church in the mid-19th century, to the designs of Benjamin Ferrey.[3]

Demolition of the previous church began in August 1843 and the foundation stone of the new one laid by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Rev. Edward Denison, on 4 October 1843.[4][5] The church's construction was carried out by local labour and assisted by the churchwarden Arthur Henry Dyke Acland, who also acted as "honorary architect".[6]

The new church was consecrated by the Bishop of Salisbury on 7 May 1845. As further funds were required, the church's tower was unfinished and in need of a spire.[6] Work later commenced on heightening the tower in 1851 and the spire was added in 1852.[7][8]

All Saints was made redundant on 13 November 1970 and subsequently sold on 8 November 1972 to Dorchester Borough Council for use as an archaeological store for the Dorset County Museum.[9][10]

Architecture

All Saints is built of local limestone with Ham stone ashlar dressings and slate roofs, in the Early English style. It is made up of a four-bay nave, north and south aisles, chancel, vestry and north-west tower.[1] Much of the church's 1843-45 furnishings were created and gifted by local tradesmen and other benefactors. The octagonal font was carved from a block of Portland stone by Mr. Gregory of Salisbury. The church contains an arcade of seven arches of Caen stone, which depict the commandments and texts of Holy Scripture by Mr. William Osmond of Salisbury.[6]

From the earlier church there are preserved the elaborate tomb, with effigy, of Matthew Chubb (d. 1617) and the achievement of arms of Charles II.[11]

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References
  1. "CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS. RAILINGS AT WEST END, AND CHURCHYARD STEPS AT SOUTH EAST CORNER OF CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS, Dorchester - 1110582". Historic England. 8 May 1950. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  2. "The Book of Dorchester: County Town of Dorset - Brian Adlam - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  3. Hyams, John (1970). Dorset. B T Batsford Ltd. p. 145. ISBN 0-7134-0066-8.
  4. The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Ecclesiastical - 7 October 1843 - page 2
  5. The Dorset County Chronicle - All Saints' Church, Dorchester - 31 August 1843 - page 1
  6. Sherborne Mercury - Consecration of All Saints' Church, Dorchester - 10 May 1845 - page 4
  7. The Sherborne Mercury - Dorchester - 18 November 1851 - page 3
  8. The Hampshire Advertiser - Dorchester - 23 October 1852 - page 6
  9. "Wayback Machine" (PDF). Web.archive.org. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  10. "The Book of Dorchester: County Town of Dorset - Brian Adlam - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  11. RCHME An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Dorset: Volume 2, South east (HMSO 1970)
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