All Saints
Alrewas, Staffordshire
Set in an award winning churchyard at the end of a long lime avenue in a pretty estate village, the atmospheric church of St Peter is a gem.
It was founded in the early 12th century but, with the exception of the tower (dated 1598), the church you see today was rebuilt in the 19th century by Revd Francis Paget, Rector of Elford, and his cousin Hon Mary Howard, lady of the manor. Paget was an adherent of the Oxford Movement which sought to reintroduce into the church the colour and imagery which had largely disappeared during the previous two centuries. The nave and chancel were rebuilt by Salvin (1848), the south aisle and chantry chapel by Street (1869). The interior roof and walls are brilliantly painted and gilded; angels carry corbels or coats of arms richly blazoned.
Elford has some of the finest mediaeval alabaster tombs in the county : in particular the Arderne, the Stanley, the Smythe tombs (the latter showing Sir William with his two wives) and that of the Stanley Child who died after a brain haemorrhage caused by a (real) tennis ball.
Many of the stained glass windows feature 19th century copies of earlier designs alongside glass by Wailes and Ward and Hughes. One window depicting the Presentation of Mary contains cinquecento glass from the Rhineland. Floor tiles, copies of medieval tiles, were made by Minton, as is the unusual reredos, given to the church by Herbert Minton.
The organ, originally one manual, no pedals, is a lady’s chamber organ of excellent quality made between 1750 and 1780. Swell and pedal boards were added in 1898 and the ornamental front was the gift of Anthony Salvin.
There is a children’s trail for the interior of the church.
Though Elford Hall has been demolished, there remains the huge Walled Garden just behind the church. This has been restored by the village as a community garden with allotments, sensory garden, boules court, toilets and a walk beside the River Tame.
Fully accessible, all are welcome to visit. DIY refreshments are available and it is an excellent site for a picnic. Booklets and information for sale.