Nominal: 828 Hz Weight: 1188 lbs Diameter: 38.88" Bell 1 of 9
Founded by Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1977
Dove Bell ID: 1491 Tower ID: 15210 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
All Saints (Chelsea Old Church)
Diocese of London
Church, 623171
http://www.chelseaoldchurch.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: TQ 271 775
All Saints (Chelsea Old Church) is a Grade I medieval church which first appeared in the written record in 1290, by which time it was already an established house of worship. Commonly known as ‘Chelsea Old Church’, it was the parish church of Chelsea before the village’s incorporation into London. It served as the parish church of many notable English leaders, including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The church has been in almost continuous use since at least 1290, with a notable nine-year break in services: it was hit and almost completely destroyed by a parachute mine during the night of 16 April 1941, and was closed for worship until 2 July 1950. The first post-war service was held in the More Chapel, once owned by Sir Thomas More for his family’s private worship, which was virtually the only surviving part of the building. Reconstruction continued throughout the 1950s and normal function gradually resumed; the church was fully rededicated on 13 May 1958 with the Queen Mother in attendance.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
The church has a library in the Choir Vestry which is open to visitors. Church Guides are present on Sunday afternoons to give informal tours and to provide information. Dogs are permitted (please contact the Church before your pet's first visit). Please visit the church's website for more information about service times and arranging visits.
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 477 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Archaeology
Per the Greater London Historical Environment Record (HER), Chelsea Old Church is located within an Archaeological Priority Area that has been inhabited since prehistoric times; consequently a significant amount of archaeological and historical material has been found in the vicinity of the church, both on land and in the northern bank of the Thames beside the church. These include a prehistoric pit, a Roman building, Saxon and Norman artefacts, a graveyard used in both the medieval and pre-Victorian eras, and a Victorian basement. The curtilage of the church itself has included two archaeological finds.
Finds from HER excavations demonstrate continuous habitation from the post-Norman period forward, although available pre-Conquest documentation suggests that the term ‘Chelsea’ has Saxon roots.
History
The church itself dates from 1290 at the latest. The nave and chancel date from the late thirteenth century; the north Chapel (now the Lawrence Chapel) dates to the same period, and was owned by various members of the royal family including Henry VIII. The south Chapel (now the More Chapel) may also have been built around 1290 but was certainly in existence by 1325, and was restored by Sir Thomas More in 1528 for his family’s private worship.
The arch connecting the More Chapel and chancel features the ‘Holbein capitals’, pillars designed by Hans Holbein the Younger, court painter to Henry VIII, and carved by two unknown artisans. They are deliberately asymmetrical, with the western capital displaying More’s role in the church, and the eastern one his role in government. The arch leading to the Lawrence Chapel was destroyed during the war and rebuilt afterwards.
Exterior Description
The church is a Romanesque structure oriented precisely west-east. It is composed of a Tower at the northwest entrance; the church is entered through a small vestibule on the northwest side.
Centuries of continuous use and post-war reconstruction have resulted in the presence of multiple construction types and materials from 1290 to the present. This can be seen within the same section of wall and includes thirteenth-century stone, Tudor red brick, 1950s Portland stone, and modern plaster. Both church and monuments therein have been subject to numerous conservation efforts over the centuries. Consequently many other types of materials, similarly from a variety of time periods, can be found throughout the church.
Interior
Interior Description
The church has a wide nave, containing several features as it leads to the chancel and main altar. When entering the church, a gallery is immediately above, with the church’s organ. A small baptistry, with its seventeenth-century baptismal font and special seating area of three small pews, is to the left. Two raised rows of pews with an aisle between them fill much of the nave.
The altar, with medieval piscina, aumbry and squint, survived the 1941 bombing. It is small and accessed by a two steps, and is enclosed by a wooden rail. It contains several monuments, most notably that of Sir Thomas More.
The chancel is not physically separated from the nave by either steps or a rail, although it has separate pews and a raised wooden pulpit (which includes its own set of stairs). The chancel has two connected chapels, namely the Lawrence Chapel to the north and the More Chapel to the south; a connected vestry accessed through the Lawrence Chapel. The Lawrence Chapel does not feature a seating area, although it remains in use for other church activities. The More Chapel remains in use for smaller services, featuring pews and an altar.
The church contains a large amount of historical material in addition to the architecture and larger structures mentioned above. 115 funerary monuments survived the bombing, though many were either rebuilt or bear significant damage. They can be found throughout the building. The kneelers throughout the church were handmade by female parishioners in the 1950s as part of the restoration, and honour notable (particularly royal Tudor-era) members of the parish.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
17th Century Narrow wooden table, flush against the chancel wall.
Clock
20th Century Clock with cast iron flat bed frame located in Tower made by Edward JohnDent from London
Historical Notes
1957 - 1957
Period Qualifier: 2
Altar Rail
17th Century Wooden with pillars.
Pulpit
17th Century Wooden; stem and staircase added in 1908.
Piscina (component)
Medieval The surviving half of a piscina constructed sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries, most likely the 15th.
Aumbry
Medieval Precise construction date unknown.
Capital
16th Century A pair of asymmetrical stone capitals decorating the pillars separating the More Chapel (listed separately among the Internal Fixtures and Fittings) from the chancel. Their decorations symbolise More's dual roles: one represents his career, and the other his religious identity.
Historical Notes
1528 - N/A
Period Qualifier: 2
The capitols are thought to have been designed by the artist Hans Holbein the Younger for Sir Thomas More as part of the 1528 restoration of the chapel.
Chapel (component)
13th Century What is now known as the 'More Chapel' is part of the church's early construction and was built ca. 1290-1320; the precise date is unknown. It is located on the south side of the chancel, and contains an altar and rows of pews, as well as the remains of a 16th-century tomb. It remains in use for smaller services.
Historical Notes
1528 - N/A
Period Qualifier: 1
In the mid-sixteenth century, the chapel became the property of Sir Thomas More. He restored it in 1528 and retained it private for his family's use. The Holbein Capitals (listed separately among the Internal Fixtures and Fittings) were added as part of More's restoration.
Chapel (component)
14th Century The Lawrence Chapel is located to the north of the chancel, and leads to the vestry. Its east window dates to ca. 1320, which is considered to be the date of the chapel's construction. It is no longer used as a chapel, although it remains in use for piano performances, and contains a table at which informational publications about the church may be purchased.
Historical Notes
N/A - 1558
Period Qualifier: 3
The Lawrence Chapel may originally have been a Lady Chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
1558 - 1600
Period Qualifier: 3
The chapel became the private property of Thomas Lawrence in the late 16th century, and consequently became known as the Lawrence Chapel.
Bells
Nominal: 1660 Hz Weight: 441 lbs Diameter: 24.13" Bell 2 of 9
Founded by Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1977
Dove Bell ID: 15413 Tower ID: 15210 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1564 Hz Weight: 392 lbs Diameter: 24.88" Bell 3 of 9
Founded by Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1977
Dove Bell ID: 15414 Tower ID: 15210 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1392 Hz Weight: 513 lbs Diameter: 27" Bell 4 of 9
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1957
Dove Bell ID: 15415 Tower ID: 15210 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1242 Hz Weight: 568 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 5 of 9
Founded by Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1977
Dove Bell ID: 15416 Tower ID: 15210 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1106 Hz Weight: 648 lbs Diameter: 30.88" Bell 6 of 9
Founded by Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1977
Dove Bell ID: 15417 Tower ID: 15210 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1044 Hz Weight: 663 lbs Diameter: 31.75" Bell 7 of 9
Founded by Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1977
Dove Bell ID: 15418 Tower ID: 15210 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 930 Hz Weight: 921 lbs Diameter: 35" Bell 8 of 9
Founded by Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1977
Dove Bell ID: 15419 Tower ID: 15210 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Weight: 448 lbs Diameter: 27" Bell 9 of 9
Founded by James Bartlet 1679
Dove Bell ID: 15420 Tower ID: 15210 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Stone, 1673.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 271 775
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
The churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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