The Churches in Long Marston

Old Church Tower, Chapel Lane

The Tower, which is about 15thC, is the only remnant of a Chapel going back to the 12thC. It is grade II* listed. The Chapel itself was pulled down in 1882 as it was becoming unsafe because of insecure foundations compounded by the damp ground; it was also considered to be too small.
The Churchyard served as a burial ground for 34 years and has a few remaining graves.
The old Tower now stands alone and was fully restored in 2000/2001.
Do feel free to visit the Tower and Churchyard.

All Saints Church

History.

The old Chapel (in Chapel Lane) was examined by architects in 1881and they concluded that the structure was “so dilapidated as to be beyond repair” and that “the new Church should be in the new burial ground . . . . where a solid foundation can be obtained free from water”. Only four months later the corner stone was laid on land given by Sir Nathaniel (later Baron) de Rothschild. This foundation stone, dated 1882-3 is to be found at the base of the NE buttress.

Tour of the Church

1. Font – originally acquired for the old Church from Tring Church then moved to the new Church.
2. The Nave –  the 17thC pulpit came from the old Church.
3. The Chancel – the organ was built prior to 1862, by Hill, for Tring church. It was brought from Tring for the old Church in 1863 and moved to All Saints in 1883.
4. The Sanctuary – the stone reredos came from St Andrews, Wells Street, in West London in 1883 and the five statues, designed by Sir Albert Richardson, were added in 1933.
5. The North Aisle – the aisle is divided from the nave by pillars and arches brought from Tring Church, which was being restored in 1883. The tracery in the North windows is 14th coming from the old Church along with other fragments of carved stone which have been worked into the North wall and the oak screen (15thC) which backs the Choir stalls. The Good Shepherd window (behind the organ) was installed in 1953.
6. Oak Beam – above the Chancel steps, is also 15thC and was brought from the old rectory in Weston Turville in 1883.
7. The West End – a porch and vestry were added in 1908.
8. Later alterations. Following a very generous donation, improvements were made to the internal layout. A Parish Room was made from the porch and vestry and a kitchen, toilet and vestry were installed in the North Aisle. Pews were also removed from the back of the Church. The “Apprentices window” in the new vestry was originally in the old porch/vestry wall.
9. The Bell. This is dated 1800 and came from the old Church.

Further details of furniture, memorial plaques etc can be found in the guide book in the Church.

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