Church of All Saints, Langport
Encyclopedia
The Church of All Saints in Langport
, Somerset
, England, has 12th -century origins but was rebuilt in the late 15th century. It has been designated by English Heritage
as a Grade I listed building.
The Perpendicular octagonal tower, which is in three stages, dates from around 1455, but the top section was rebuilt in 1833. It has a number of interesting gargoyles known locally as ‘hunky punks’.
The East window of the chancel contains a set of late 15th century glass depicting various saints, appropriate to the dedication "All Saints". Although restored
in the 19th century it is one of the best preserved medieval windows in Somerset. Additionally it is unusual in that the window contains a full set of glass from the same period.
The church is no longer used for services, its congregation has been merged with nearby St Mary's. It is now a redundant church
in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust
. The church was declared redundant on 1 July 1994, and was vested
in the Trust on 28 June 1995. The Trust has carried out extensive rebuilding work.
In 2011, the Churches Conservation Trust
and the community of Langport started an innovative regeneration project at All Saints church. Now the Regeneration Taskforce at the Churches Conservation Trust is working in partnership with a group of local young people aged 16-25 to regenerate All Saints church with a new use. The group of young people is called the 'New Saints'.
Langport
Langport is a small town and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated west of Somerton in the South Somerset district. The town has a population of 1,067. The parish includes the hamlets of Bowdens and Combe...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England, has 12th -century origins but was rebuilt in the late 15th century. It has been designated by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
as a Grade I listed building.
The Perpendicular octagonal tower, which is in three stages, dates from around 1455, but the top section was rebuilt in 1833. It has a number of interesting gargoyles known locally as ‘hunky punks’.
The East window of the chancel contains a set of late 15th century glass depicting various saints, appropriate to the dedication "All Saints". Although restored
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
in the 19th century it is one of the best preserved medieval windows in Somerset. Additionally it is unusual in that the window contains a full set of glass from the same period.
The church is no longer used for services, its congregation has been merged with nearby St Mary's. It is now a redundant church
Redundant church
A redundant church is a church building that is no longer required for regular public worship. The phrase is particularly used to refer to former Anglican buildings in the United Kingdom, but may refer to any disused church building around the world...
in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust
Churches Conservation Trust
The Churches Conservation Trust, which was initially known as the Redundant Churches Fund, is a charity whose purpose is to protect historic churches at risk, those that have been made redundant by the Church of England. The Trust was established by the Pastoral Measure of 1968...
. The church was declared redundant on 1 July 1994, and was vested
Vesting
In law, vesting is to give an immediately secured right of present or future enjoyment. One has a vested right to an asset that cannot be taken away by any third party, even though one may not yet possess the asset. When the right, interest or title to the present or future possession of a legal...
in the Trust on 28 June 1995. The Trust has carried out extensive rebuilding work.
In 2011, the Churches Conservation Trust
Churches Conservation Trust
The Churches Conservation Trust, which was initially known as the Redundant Churches Fund, is a charity whose purpose is to protect historic churches at risk, those that have been made redundant by the Church of England. The Trust was established by the Pastoral Measure of 1968...
and the community of Langport started an innovative regeneration project at All Saints church. Now the Regeneration Taskforce at the Churches Conservation Trust is working in partnership with a group of local young people aged 16-25 to regenerate All Saints church with a new use. The group of young people is called the 'New Saints'.