Church Building
Interior
All Saints' has a wonderful interior, though much of it is covered up in the final two weeks of Lent; visitors find the altar reredos, Lady Chapel, pictures and monuments particularly fascinating. It is easy, while admiring the east end, to miss the equally interesting Baptistry and organ gallery behind you at the west end.
The tower is the oldest part of the building, certainly dating from the Norman Conquest, and probably of Saxon origin. This was followed by a Chancel (the present Lady Chapel), nave and then north and south aisles (c1170 and 1190 respectively). The pillars and bays between the present south and outer south aisles date from 1190. The aisles had their roofs raised in the eighteenth century, and the Georgian windows in the outer south aisle date from then. There were north, west and south galleries, a small organ being in the west gallery over the West Door.
By the end of the nineteenth century, the north aisle was collapsing and the decision was taken to demolish it and create a new nave, chancel and north aisle, attached to the remainder of the medieval building; much of this work was completed by the end of the century under the leadership of the Rector, the Revd Lord Victor Seymour. The new work was designed by the Blomfield architectural practice of central London, with work by G F Bodley (the Reredos and Rood Screen in particular).
The Revd W.R. Corbould became Rector in December 1919 and this began the process that has given Carshalton its unique appearance. His friendship with Sir Ninian Comper, the renowned church architect, began a long series of remarkable embellishments : a fine aumbry at the high altar; the gilding and painting of the high altar triptych, the 17th century Lady altar reredos, the rood and screen and the construction and decoration of an astonishing organ gallery at the west end to house the 'Father' Willis organ.
As you move about the church, please take care. This ancient building contains features such as stone steps, hot candles and incense, and a stone floor that is uneven in places. Please take responsibility for the safety of any children that you bring into the church.
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Exterior & Churchyard
The church exterior gives little sign of its wonderful interior. The north side, opposite the Ponds and which most visitors see first, is the Victorian facade constructed mostly of dark flint, giving it a sombre appearance. The south side is earlier and shows signs of the many alterations that have been made over the centuries, starting with the Norman tower.
The tower contains a ring of 8 bells that are rung on Sunday mornings and practice nights.
There are also outdoor war memorials in the vicinity of the church, which are shown on a dedicated memorials web site.
The churchyard is closed to new burials and, although still church property, is maintained by the London Borough of Sutton. It has been extended several times over the centuries and contains some fascinating graves; it attracts much wildlife including Red Foxes, Grey Squirrels, Common Lizards, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-Tailed Tits, Wrens, Robins, Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Starlings, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Wood Pigeons, Magpies, Jays, Green Woodpeckers, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs, Grey Wagtails, Ring-Necked Parakeets, Redwings, and (once) a Hobby.
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Exterior
Graveyard