All Saints Church | |
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50°57′36″N 0°16′30″E / 50.95992°N 0.27488°E | |
Location | Heathfield, East Sussex |
Country | England |
Denomination | Church of England |
Previous denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
History | |
Status | Open |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Open |
Heritage designation | Grade II* |
Years built | 14th Century |
All Saints Church is a Church of England parish church in Heathfield, East Sussex, England. It was constructed in the 14th century and is a Grade II* listed building. [1]
The church was built in the 14th century on the location of a former church with the 13th century tower being incorporated into the new church. Stonemasons working on the church built a pub next door to act as their shelter when they were working on it. [2]
In the early 1600s, the vicar of the church was Reverend Robert Hunt. He was not popular with the local parishioners owing to him not living in the parish, [3] as well as being accused of sexual impropriety with his maid. [2] Despite being acquitted, the Archbishop of Canterbury recommended he go to the Colony of Virginia. He landed in Jamestown and conducted the first Church of England service in the colony. [2] A stained glass window commemorating this event was installed in All Saints in 1957. [4]
The church was expanded in 1823 with the addition of two side galleries with a capacity of 120, paid for by the Incorporated Society for the Enlargement of Churches. [5] It was restored in 1861 and in 1872 by an architect called J. Billing. [6] In 1917, a stained glass window to Lt-Colonel W. C. C. Ash in suffragette colours was installed after a contribution from one of his close female relatives in the north aisle. [2] It was granted Grade II* listed status in 1966. [1]
The churchyard contains a crypt which also dated back to the 14th century when the church was constructed. [1] The church has occasionally received grants from Heathfield and Waldron Parish Council. [7] It contains 19 military graves managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. [8]