All Saints
Minstead, Hampshire
The forest crowds up to the churchyard here, and yews and oaks overhang the lychgate.
Though much altered over the centuries, traces of the mid 13th century church survive. Inside, the church is both light and airy, its spaciousness reflecting its essentially Georgian character and much of the town's heritage whilst providing a sanctuary for quiet reflection, prayer and worship.
Traces of lancet windows and stone columns dating from around 1250 are to be found in the Sanctuary and by the west door.
On entering the church we pass through the Narthex, added in 1811, and a pair of impressive modern glass doors executed by the glass engraver Tracey Sheppard. They are designed to direct the viewer entering the church towards the altar. They are rich in symbolism for both Lymington and the Christian faith; the words 'A house of prayer for all people' are taken from Isaiah 56.7.
Stairs lead up to the Georgian galleries, passing a collection of ancient roof bosses and a large representation of the Royal Arms adopted by George 1 and dated 1716. The impressive barrel ceiling of the nave runs the length of the church and large classical columns support the galleries on three sides.
The large east window commemorates Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Sartorius, a veteran of the Battle of Trafalgar. Other stained glass windows date from the 19th and 20th centuries. The oak choir stalls were added in 1949 and are carved with poppy heads, various heraldic arms and emblems. On the south wall there are several memorials and monuments to local worthies.
The Courteney Chapel in the northeast corner was developed from a mortuary chapel dating from around 1325; the altar there dates from 1673. The organ was built by Brindley and Foster in 1911 although it has been enlarged and restored twice since then. Beneath this is a richly coloured representation of the arms of George IV, erected in the 1820s. The wooden font cover dates from 1873 and is noted for its small carved replica of Christ by Thorwaldson which commands a prominent position on the coast of Norway.
The churchyard has been considerably enlarged over the years but it does contain several elaborately carved but badly weathered headstones. The avenue of lime trees was originally planted in the early 18th century and several trees are host to mistletoe. Other species of interest are various oaks and the bulbous triquetrous leek.