Church Building
Interior
All Saints' has a wonderful interior, though much of it is covered up in the final two weeks of Lent; visitors find the altar reredos, Lady Chapel, pictures and monuments particularly fascinating. It is easy, while admiring the east end, to miss the equally interesting Baptistry and organ gallery behind you at the west end.
The tower is the oldest part of the building, certainly dating from the Norman Conquest, and probably of Saxon origin. This was followed by a Chancel (the present Lady Chapel), nave and then north and south aisles (c1170 and 1190 respectively). The pillars and bays between the present south and outer south aisles date from 1190. The aisles had their roofs raised in the eighteenth century, and the Georgian windows in the outer south aisle date from then. There were north, west and south galleries, a small organ being in the west gallery over the West Door.
By the end of the nineteenth century, the north aisle was collapsing and the decision was taken to demolish it and create a new nave, chancel and north aisle, attached to the remainder of the medieval building; much of this work was completed by the end of the century under the leadership of the Rector, the Revd Lord Victor Seymour. The new work was designed by the Blomfield architectural practice of central London, with work by G F Bodley (the Reredos and Rood Screen in particular).
The Revd W.R. Corbould became Rector in December 1919 and this began the process that has given Carshalton its unique appearance. His friendship with Sir Ninian Comper, the renowned church architect, began a long series of remarkable embellishments : a fine aumbry at the high altar; the gilding and painting of the high altar triptych, the 17th century Lady altar reredos, the rood and screen and the construction and decoration of an astonishing organ gallery at the west end to house the 'Father' Willis organ.
As you move about the church, please take care. This ancient building contains features such as stone steps, hot candles and incense, and a stone floor that is uneven in places. Please take responsibility for the safety of any children that you bring into the church.
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 Outer South AisleTo the right of the Scawen monument is a smaller monument with arms and Scottish clan motto Furth, forth and fill the fetters: Sacred to the Memory of Harriet, The beloved wife of James Arthur Murray, Captain in the Royal Navy, who departed this life July the 29th, 1829, Aged 32 years. |  Outer South AisleAt the east end of the outer south aisle is a monument to Sir William Scawen MP, joint founder and second Governor of the Bank of England 1697–99, who died in 1722 aged 75. The reclining figure is said to be an idealised likeness, rather than a true one. The inscription commemorates his wife Mary who died in 1733 aged 33. On the top is an urn and a child wiping his eye, and holding a shield. |  Outer South AisleThe monument to John Fellowes, Baronet, who died in 1724 aged 54, was moved here from the east end of the north aisle in around 1891 during reconstruction of the building. It is just visible in its original position in the left-hand side of an 1826 water-colour painting. The window behind it was not blocked up until 1914. |  Outer South AisleThe monument to Elizabeth Kennedy: Sacred to the Memory of Elizabeth Devereux Kennedy, Who died on the 14th of June 1852, In the 80th year of her age. With Christ, which is far better. |
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 Outer South AisleThis Victorian copy of a 17th century Master, framed by Comper, was given by Robert Corbould (Rector) in thanksgiving for his nephews' safe return from the Second World War. |  Lady ChapelTo the right (north) of the arch there are three monuments. |  Lady ChapelThe eastern window stained glass is by Kempe and shows the angel Gabriel saying to Mary "Ave Maria grã plã" (Hail Mary, highly favoured from the Bible, Luke 1:28) to which Mary replies "Ecce ancilla Dõi fiat mihi secundũ verbũ tuũ" (Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word from the Bible, Luke 1:38). The same figures and quotations dominate the two main panels of the lady altar reredos. |  Lady ChapelThe Lady Chapel west window stained glass is also by Kempe, and shows Elisabeth saying to Mary "Benedicta tu inter mulieribus" (Blessed are you among women from the Bible, Luke 1:42). |
 Lady ChapelOpposite the table tomb is a memorial to Elizabeth Byne, who died in 1687 in childbirth, bearing James Byne who apparently survived. Her parents Henry and Alice Herringman are commemorated on the next memorial to the right. |  Lady ChapelThe second high monument is to George Taylor. |  Lady ChapelOn the left (south) side are monuments to Thomas Plummer MP and his family. |  Lady ChapelBelow the Burrish memorial is a table tomb, believed to have been moved in the 19th Century, commemorating Nicholas Gaynesford and his wife Margaret, both of whom died in 1400. The tomb back panel shows a man in Yorkist early Tudor armour; four sons behind him dressed respectively as a squire, a priest, and two merchants; then a woman; and four daughters. |
 TowerThe monument to Susanna Shepley (sister of Michael who is commemorated in the Lady Chapel), provided by the surviving sister. Shepley memorial Sacred to the Memory of Susanna Shepley, sister of Michael Shepley, Esq, Who departed this life Feb. 19th, 1840. In the respective duties of daughter, sister, and friend, she was exemplary. This monument is erected by her only and affectionately attached sister. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. |  TowerOne of the monuments to the Beynon family; this one refers to Edmund and Martha Beynon. |  TowerThe tower contains the peal of Bells which is why there is a bell rope in this picture, as well as monuments including this one to Robert Houstoun, his wife Isabella and their son, another Robert. Overhead is a hatch in the ceiling through which the refurbished bells were hoisted in 1979. The old font below is believed to have come from St Andrew's church and is now used as a Holy Water stoup. |  South AisleOne of several monuments to the Beynon family can be found to the right of the arch from the south aisle into the tower; the inscription indicates that this one is to Edward Beynon, and to Martha Beynon. |
 South AisleThe Outer South Aisle (left) and South Aisle (right) with sunlight pouring through the windows. The arcade was made in around 1220 [41]. In the floor are a number of gravestones. |  South AisleThis stone set into the floor commemorates Stephen Heath who died in 1782 aged 64. He may have been the father of Martha and Stephen commemorated on the Beynon memorial nearby. |  South AisleA small brass plate near the west end of the south wall commemorates E. Ralph Cooke: To the Glory of God and memory of my beloved husband E. Ralph Cooke Private Hon.Artillery Company Killed in Action on 31st. March 1917 At Ecoust in France. "Faithful unto Death." |  ChancelOpposite the aumbry are old Lord's Prayer and Creed boards. To the right of them, the Latin inscription above the gateway into the Lady Chapel is from the Bible, Song of Songs 2:1: Ego sum flos campi et lilium convallium (in English I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys) applied by some [21] to Christ, but here it may exploit the ambiguity found in medieval writers such as Julian of Norwich between Christ and his mother Mary[43]. |
 ChancelOn the south side of the Chancel hangs a painting, said to be a fragment cut from a very large Italian work. |  ChancelThe chancel, looking towards the high altar. Sanctuary lights mark the High Altar, which is used every Sunday at the Low and High Masses. The frontal cloth on the altar shows the colour for the current church season (green in the photo). The centre panel of the gold reredos is dominated by a statue of Mary carrying the baby Jesus, flanked (unusually) by Isaiah and John the Baptist. |  ChancelThe aumbry beside the high altar. |  ScreenThe screen is made of oak in the traditional English style. It supports statues of Jesus at his crucifixion, flanked by his mother Mary and St John the disciple. The screen was probably made by Bodley in 1911. A brass floor plaque records: This screen was given to the Glory of God by Albert Peatling and Muriel Palliser Peatling. |
 ScreenThe screen was altered by Comper in 1931–33 (raised and gilded), 1938–1941 (painted), 1947 (surmounted by Christ in Majesty) and 1948 (fronted by semicircular stone steps). |  NaveA view view of the nave from the south side, looking towards the baptistery. |  NaveThe pulpit, which is used at most main services, is made of oak. It is Georgian, and present in the earliest photographs; the sounding board and stairs were added by Comper in 1946. It is inscribed PREDICAMVS CHRISTVM IESVM CRVCIFIXVM PREDICAMVS meaning we preach Christ Jesus crucified we preach which is based on 1 Corinthians 1:23 in the Bible. |  NaveAn overall view of the nave looking towards the screen and chancel. The loudspeakers were installed in May 1987. |
 Baptistery and organ galleryThe baptistery has three stained glass windows, which seem to depict the orders of angels (see the Wikipedia entry on medieval theology) as they were described by St. Thomas Aquinas in Summa Theologica whose ideas are still discussed in catholic circles today. |  Baptistery and organ galleryA mysterious ancient carved stone is built into the wall behind the font. It was left in the churchyard after the 1891–4 demolition, and retrieved by Peatling in 1914. |  Baptistery and organ galleryThe baptistry is enclosed by the organ gallery, erected to the designs of Comper in 1931–2, vaulted in 1933–5, painted in 1935–6, decorated in 1937–8, and embellished with three statuettes in 1941. Here is a picture of the underside of the west end gallery, which is faced with an inscribed painted screen. |  Baptistery and organ galleryThe baptistery is at the west end of the building, and contains the font, the inscription on which says IN NOMINE PATRIS ET FILII ET SPIRITVS SANCTVS meaning In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit which is said by the priest during baptism, and is taken from the Bible, Matthew 28:19. There are baptisms here most Sundays. |
 SacristyOn the wall opposite the door to the North Aisle is a cross commemorating Revd Morton Willoughby Cokayne (an assistant curate) who died in 1894 aged only 28. |  SacristyThe only remaining stained glass from before the 19th century reconstruction is now located in the sacristy partition. It is marked "J.P. 1743" and shows the Magi worshipping the baby Jesus. |  North AisleBy the north door there is a group of monuments, all of which must have been moved to here when the church was rebuilt in 1891. |  North AisleHalf-way along the north wall is a Flemish nativity scene behind the North Aisle altar. The picture was bought by Fr Corbould (Rector 1919–1958) for his own home, but proved to be too large to fit. The altar below it is seldom used, apart from being turned round to represent a stable at Christmas, and is believed to have come from St Andrew's church. |
 North AisleContinuing eastwards we pass a wooden plaque in memory of Juland Dingwall, which says: TO THE GLORY OF GOD & IN TENDER MEMORY OF A DEARLY LOVED BROTHER JULAND PATRICK DINGWALL 2ND. SON OF CHARLES DINGWALL & KATHERINE HIS WIFE: BORN AT BLOOMFIELD, CATERHAM 27TH. MAY 1896: PASSED AWAY AT SHEPLEY HOUSE, CARSHALTON 17TH. JULY 1910 AND BURIED IN THIS CHURCHYARD: AGE 14. God set His seal and marked him out for His own. |  North AisleAt the west end is a stained glass window by Comper dedicated to Hugh Vaughan Peirs: Dedicated by the family of Hugh Vaughan Peirs who was born at Repton in Derbyshire 13th.June 1855 & died at Carshalton 17th.November. A Dñi 1931. Commending him and the men of this place who gave their lives, for vs in the War 1914–1918 to the infinite mercy of God. There is a brass wall plaque of remembrance beside it. |
Exterior & Churchyard
The church exterior gives little sign of its wonderful interior. The north side, opposite the Ponds and which most visitors see first, is the Victorian facade constructed mostly of dark flint, giving it a sombre appearance. The south side is earlier and shows signs of the many alterations that have been made over the centuries, starting with the Norman tower.
The tower contains a ring of 8 bells that are rung on Sunday mornings and practice nights.
There are also outdoor war memorials in the vicinity of the church, which are shown on a dedicated memorials web site.
The churchyard is closed to new burials and, although still church property, is maintained by the London Borough of Sutton. It has been extended several times over the centuries and contains some fascinating graves; it attracts much wildlife including Red Foxes, Grey Squirrels, Common Lizards, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-Tailed Tits, Wrens, Robins, Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Starlings, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Wood Pigeons, Magpies, Jays, Green Woodpeckers, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs, Grey Wagtails, Ring-Necked Parakeets, Redwings, and (once) a Hobby.
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Exterior
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Graveyard
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