The church of All Saints is the redundant church of the Wiltshire village of Alton Priors. Scarcely more than a few hundred less than determined strides from its neighbour of St Mary's in Alton Barnes this picturesque church is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Situated in a small pasture this church is well known to antiquarians.
This is a site whose religious connections pre-date the birth of Christianity, the church is home to two Sarcen stones (viewable through trapdoors) with suggestions that a stone circle was once to be found on this site. Certainly the whole area is rich with archaeology from mans earliest ages. And the churchyard is home to a yew tree reputed to be 1700 years old, older in fact than the structure of the church.
Originally a Norman church little remains of the original structure save for the chancel arch. The nave and tower are 15'th century, the chancel was rebuilt faced in brick in the 19'th century. As with many conserved churches most of the furnishings are now gone, but spare a moment to study the Jacobean pews in the chancel.
A well kept church in a much photographed location this church is normally open April thru to September, with a key-holder nearby. Photographed in June 2010 for theChurchPhotographer.
