All Saints Church, Dorchester

About

All Saints Church is a former Church of England church in Dorchester, Dorset, England. Designed by Benjamin Ferrey and built in 1843–45, the church is a Grade II* listed building.

History: The site of All Saints is considered to have been occupied by a church since the Norman period, although the earliest records date to the 12th century. The original church is believed to have been destroyed by fire in 1613 and subsequently rebuilt. A decision was made to rebuild the church in the mid-19th century, to the designs of Benjamin Ferrey. Demolition of the previous church began in August 1843 and the foundation stone of the new one laid by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Rev. Edward Denison, on 4 October 1843. The church's construction was carried out by local labour and assisted by the churchwarden Arthur Henry Dyke Acland, who also acted as "honorary architect". The new church was consecrated by the Bishop of Salisbury on 7 May 1845. As further funds were required, the church's tower was unfinished and in need of a spire. Work later commenced on heightening the tower in 1851 and the spire was added in 1852. All Saints was made redundant on 13 November 1970 and subsequently sold...