
All Saints Church Elton

About Us: All Saints Church
Contact
Church Wardens:
Chris Milton (01832 280415) milton_chris_j@btinternet.com
David Tansley davidatansley@btinternet.com
History
A church at Elton is mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1086 and
traces of a Saxon building have been found during restoration work,
but only two remains are now visible; the wheel crosses by the
tower in the Churchyard and a small head carving in the North Aisle
Vestry. In 1450-60 the Church was practically rebuilt, although the
tower was not completed until some 40 years later. The oldest
parish register dates from 1598. Restoration work was undertaken in
the 17th century by Sir Robert Cotton who found the Chancel ‘in a
ruinous condition’.
The period and styles of architecture represented at Elton are:
SAXON (before 1066)
Two wheel crosses by the north-west corner of the Tower; a finely
carved head at the west end of the North Aisle and some
foundations under the Chancel
NORMAN (1066 – 1200)
A fragment at the west end of the Church
EARLY ENGLISH (1200 – 1270)
The Chancel Arch; some fragments at the west end
DECORATED (1270 – 1400)
The Chancel, except part of the north side; the Nave; the North
Aisle, except the west side
PERPENDICULAR (1400 – 1500)
The west end of the North Aisle; the South Aisle; the Tower; the
Clerestory
GOTHIC REVIVAL (1825 – 1900)
Arch in north wall of the Chancel; Organ chamber; stained glass
windows
THE EXTERIOR
The Tower was built in Ashlar from the nearby quarry at Ketton in
about 1500. The structure is uncommon in that the buttresses are
formed as the building contracts, the base being considerably wider than the battlements.
The South Porch also dates from around 1500. To the west of the
doorway there is a scratch dial, used by the priest for the daily
services
The Nave and Chancel exterior has several gargoyles as water-
spouts and the crenellated parapet over the Clerestory is the only
remaining ornament to the roof line
THE INTERIOR
The Sanctuary is dominated by the great Te Deum east window of
1893 dedicated to the 4th Earl of Carysfort.
The Alter table is constructed from wood, the carved legs of which
were once part of a 15th century church roof.
The pulpit is of oak, erected by Father Faber (Rector of Elton 1843-
1845), the hymn-writer.
The Clerestory windows above the nave arches are 15th century
Perpendicular. They were discovered during the 1886 restoration
and opened and restored
The Tower steps are accessed through the door to the south of the west door. There are five bells varying in weight from one ton
down to just 10cwt.