All Saints Church, Leamington

All Saints Church is the parish church for Leamington Spa, England. Built in the gothic style in the 19th century, it has been described as "one of the largest Church of England parish churches, rivaling many cathedrals in size." [ [http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/corporate/tourism.nsf/b991a994b1cf72d480256eda003bba4c/b96239fefb37ba09802571c0003fc633?OpenDocument Some information on the church from Warwickshire County Council] ] It is located in the centre of the town, just south of the River Leam in what was the old core of the town.

History

The Domesday Book of 1086 reports that there was a priest present in "Lamintone", (an old name for Leamington) although there is no specific mention of a church. The earliest record of one was from the 12th century when Leamington was still a tiny hamlet in the parish of Leek Wootton. [ [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bobjay99/wchtxt.htm A Warwickshire churches history page] ] A west tower was added in the 14th century whilst a south porch was put in in the 18th. [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=57117 History of Leamington on british-history.ac.uk] ] The first spring (of many that made Leamington famous was located just outside the main entrance of the church of land owned by the Earl of Aylesford. It was however in 1843 that the church began to take its current form and shape. [ [http://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/67238FE3-9D75-442F-BBD3-C7F9E3074D1D/0/HeritageOpenDaysbooklet2005part1.pdf Information from Warwick District Council] ] By this time the church was no longer in open fields just to the north of a hamlet but was in the centre of a bustling spa town. The last major works to take place on the church were in 1898 when two western bays were added. By 1902 all works had been conscreated and the new tower dedicated and so work was deemed to be complete. [ [http://www.acny.org.uk/venue.php?V=13135 Info from A Church Near You website] ]

The Church today

The church can comfortably seat 600 people but it can hold up to 1000 people. There are seven services a week, three on Sunday, one on Wednesday, one on Thursday and two on Friday. "The Cafe Within" is a small cafe in the church which serves snacks and light meals at low prices. It is open lunchtimes between Wednesday and Sunday. [ [http://www.allsaintsleamington.org.uk/cafe.php Cafe details on All Saints website] ] Two of Leamington's town founders, Benjamin Satchwell and William Abbotts are buried in the churchyard. From September 2007 to February 2008 the area at the front of the church was redeveloped and a new sculpture was installed on the spot of the original Leamington spring.

References