HISTORY OF ALL SAINTS’ PARISH CHURCH
“Sanderstead Parish Church (All Saints’) stands within the enclosure of the park grounds of two splendid residences, Sanderstead Court (now known as Selsdon Court) and Selsdon Park; thus latter was for many years the palace of the Rev. Dr. Thorold, then bishop of Rochester, both within the same park grounds, have lately been acquired by A.D. Sanderson, Esq, under whose able management they have been converted into first class private residential hotels”
“From Sanderstead Parish Church by Rev. F.W.Walker”.
All Saints’ Parish Church stands on the summit of the hill at 596 feet above sea level. The building we know today originally consists of a nave with north and south aisles under one wide roof, chancel, south porch and a western tower. The first recording of a church in Sanderstead can be found within the will of Duke Elfred in 871. On his death left 32 hides within Sanderstead and Selsdon. About 964, Athelfeda, daughter of Earl Ordmar, first wife of King Edgar and mother of Edward, King and martyr, gave Sanderstead, with eighteen hides, the church to the Abbott and Convent of Hyde, Winchester. Another recording can be found within Doomsday “The Abbey of St. Peter of Winchester holds Sanderstead
The earliest part of the church is the Eastern arch on the north side of the nave, together with the piscina. These date back to 1230AD. The priscina, the stone basin cut to carry away water used in services indicates that once a side chapel may have been added to the original nave. It was around 1250 when the church was largely built.
The tower was added about 1310. The lower stage of the tower was built inside the church walls and the western arches were built up to carry the weight. Buttresses were added to the outside. The tower was surmounted by a low broach tower (without a parapet) which was covered in shingles. The roof was covered in wooded slats (replaced by normal roof tiles today). The clock and the bells were added much later.
The entrance to the church is through the south aisle porch. At the back of the church, “Dogwipper” benches were used by Shepherds who could keep an eye on their dogs and sheep during the services. These benches are still in used today. The Main entrance door today is still the original but the pouch has been rebuilt on a number of occasions.
At the East and West end of the Nave, Large windows were added. There were a number of smaller windows within the North and South Aisles. None of the windows today are the originals. During works to the Church on a number of occasions, these have all been replaced. There is a note that a new window was added to the North Aisle within the Sixteenth century to add more light.
On each side of the Easten window are two paintings. It was normal for the walls of a church to have paintings and descriptions of the bible as many of the parish would not of been able to read. These were found when two boards with the ten commandments were removed. These two paintings are St. Edmund, King and Mytre and St. Edmund, Archbishop of Canturbury
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