Northampton: All Saints

Name:
Northampton: All Saints
Record Type:
Church
Church code:
628112
Diocese:
Peterborough
Archdeaconry:
Northampton
Parish:
Northampton All Saints with St. Katherine and St. Peter

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?
This is a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?
There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

The church is in the following Conservation Area: All Saints

Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?
This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
 

Approximate Date

Approximate Date:
Post Medieval

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 628112 Northampton All Saints
Caption:
Exterior image of 628112 Northampton All Saints
Description:
Photo taken from the front of the church.
Year / Date:
2015
Copyright:
John Roan Photography
Originator:
John Roan

Summary Description

At All Saints you encounter a Wren city church in the provinces of the highest quality. In 1675 Northampton’s principal medieval church was burnt down leaving just its 13th century crypt and large central tower. The re built church, probably designed by Henry Bell of Kings Lynn, was based on Wren’s contemporary St Mary – at – Hill in the city of London. It took thirty years to complete and is built in the baroque classical style. Externally this includes a great columned portico, a dome, lanterns and very regular walls with lancet windows encased in classical arches. Internally you encounter large square space, the elaborately plastered ceilings supported by four massive ionic columns. It is a splendid example of Carolean architecture. The rich plaster work was carried out by Edward Goudge whose work is also to be found in the adjacent Session House. The majority of the fitments also survive including the Mayor’s Chair (really a throne ), the pulpit, communion rails, organ case and even the original reredos ( paintings of Moses and Aaron and the ten commandments ) now though distributed around the church. The principal benefactor was Charles II and this is made clear by the unusually placed full length statue of the monarch by the local sculptor John Hunt which tops the portico. Beneath you will see an inscription “This Statue was erected in memory of King Charles II who gave a thousand ton of timber toward the re building of the church and to this town seven years chimney money…” The very sensitive late 19th century restoration, principally in the chancel heighten the baroque effect with new reredos choir stalls and fluted ionic columns.

Visiting and Facilities

The church is open for worship.
The church is open to visitors from 9am to 6pm. Facilities include toilets and an on site restaurant.
 

Church Website

Church Website:
http://www.allsaintsnorthampton.co.uk

Sources and Further Information

John Roan (2015) Exterior image of 628112 Northampton All Saints [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 628112 Northampton All Saints
John Roan (2015) Interior image of 628112 Northampton All Saints [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 628112 Northampton All Saints
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/16474/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 10 Bells [Archive/Index]
10 Bells