All Saints Church, West Stourmouth

All Saints Church, West Stourmouth
All Saints Church, West Stourmouth, from the southeast
All Saints Church, West Stourmouth Location in Kent
Coordinates: 51°19′13″N 1°14′11″E / 51.3203°N 1.2365°E / 51.3203; 1.2365
OS grid reference	TR 256 628
Location	Stourmouth, Kent
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	Churches Conservation Trust
Architecture
Functional status	Redundant
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	11 October 1963
Architectural type	Church
Specifications
Materials	Flint with stone dressings, Tiled roofs

All Saints Church, West Stourmouth, is a redundant Anglican church in the civil parish of Stourmouth, Kent, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building,^[1] and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.^[2] The church stands in the settlement of West Stourmouth, some 4 miles (6 km) north of Wingham to the southeast of the A28 road.^[2][3]

History

The main fabric in the church is Saxon. Alterations were made in the late 12th century.^[1] The church was damaged in an earthquake in 1382, and was subsequently rebuilt.^[4] Windows were replaced in the 14th and 15th centuries. The church was restored in 1845, when the seating was reorganised. It has been redundant since 1979.^[1]

Architecture

Exterior

The church is constructed in flint with stone dressings and tiled roofs. Its plan consists of a nave with north and south aisles, a chancel, a south porch, and a west tower. The tower is weatherboarded with a shingled spire, and is supported by two 17th-century massive brick buttresses. Between the buttresses is a porch, above which is a 15th-century two-light window. The south aisle has a brick parapet and contains three two-light ogee-headed 14th-century windows. The south porch is gabled with corner buttresses. The east wall of the chancel was rebuilt in the 19th century, and contains a Decorated style window. In the south wall are two lancet windows, and there is a similar window on the north side. Only the lower half of the north aisle survives, and it contains two hipped dormers.^[1]

Interior

The chancel has dado panelling, a piscina and choir stalls, all dating from the 17th century. The base of a rood screen with four panels is still present. Also dating from the 17th century are an octagonal pulpit and box pews. In the chancel is a brass dated 1472. There are fragments of 15th-century glass in the south window of the chancel.^[1] Also in the church are the royal arms of George III.^[2]

Parish Status

The church is part of a joint benefice which includes:

• St Nicholas' Church, Ash
• All Saints' Church, Chillenden
• Elmstone Church
• Holy Cross Church, Goodnestone
• St Mildred' Church, Preston
• St Mary's Church, Wingham

See also

• List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in South East England

References