All Saints, Ashdon, Essex

Description

The church of All Saints is an ancient building of rubble and stone in mixed styles, ranging from the 11th to the 15th century, and consists of chancel, nave of three bays, aisles, a chapel on the south side known as the "Maynard chapel," north and south porches and an embattled western tower containing 6 bells, one of which is of pre-Reformation date: on the north side of the chancel is a fine altar-tomb, over which are the arms of Richard Tyrrell, ob. 1566, and on the south side are sedilia and a piscina: the stairs formerly leading to the rood loft still remain in the south pier of the chancel arch: a round-headed stoup, belonging to an earlier church, may be seen near the south doorway, and part of the square basin of the font of the 11th century, with fluted carving, is still preserved; the font now in use is octagonal, and two or three centuries later: a carved oak pulpit was erected in 1882 in memory of the Rev. J. F. Walker, a former rector, by his widow: the arcades of the nave are of clunch on basements of squared Barnack stone: the interior of the church underwent partial restoration during the years 1883-9, and the flooring and seating have been renewed: the roofs were restored in 1895: there are 370 sittings.

The churchyard was closed by Order in Council in Aug. 1879. A cemetery of three roods, adjoining the churchyard, was formed in 1877 at a cost of £360. a portion is consecrated, and the whole is under the control of the Parish Council.