History of All Saints' Church Laleham

All Saints' Church Laleham is a delightful example of an early English place of worship. Whilst parts of it date back over 800 years there are contributions from many periods in history.

The nave contains some of the earliest work. The pillars made from clunch (a form of chalk) and the west wall at the back of the church dates back to the 12th Century.

Originally there was a south aisle. However it was taken down in Tudor times together with the chancel and possibly one bay of the nave. A new chancel was built at this time, but this in turn was replaced in the 18th Century by the one we see today. However the red brick chancel arch, the chapel arch and the rebuilt nave date from the Tudor period.

The structure of the North Aisle dates from 1828. The windows which are Gothic in style were later additions and to match them similar ones were added in the south aisle.

The Lucan Chapel is located at the north east end of the building and it was built in the mid sixteenth century.

Within the building there are a number of points of interest. There are three stained glass windows. The Belfour Window in the west wall at the back of the church commemorates Percy Belfour. The window was the work of Wilhelmina Geddes and depicts St Christopher, St Eustace with a stag and St Cecilia playing a hand organ. The window in the nave is in memory of
Augusta Govett. Close to it there is a brass plaque with the names of Augusta and her husband Adolphus Govett who was the son of the last vicar of Staines, Ashford and Laleham when the three communities were

At the back of the north aisle there is a large picture hung above the door into the tower. This shows Jesus saving Peter from drowning. Until recently little detail was visible because of its age, but it has now been restored and more can be seen. Again at the back of the church is the font. Although Norman in style it was actually made in Victorian times.

The hatchment in the North Aisle belonged to a member of the Lucan family who lived in what is now Laleham Abbey. Underneath this is a brass tablet which commemorates Dr Thomas Arnold headmaster of Rugby School who started his work in Laleham with his cousin John Buckland.

There are a number of memorials set around the church. The majority are in the chancel and commemorate people who were prominent in their day. The earliest is in memory of George Perrot who died in 1786. The other large memorial in the chancel bears the name of Henrietta Hartwell wife of George Hartwell who was once a church warden.

Also in the chancel there is a brass chandelier. Although it is only a reproduction of a 17th Century original, it was originally hung in Westminster Abbey. However in the 1960s when glass chandeliers were installed there Laleham Church was given one of the old ones.

If you click on the picture to the left of this text you will be able to view in better detail the commemorative plaque.

These Men of Laleham served in the Great War, 1914 - 18. This plaque is situated on the left wall of the main church entrance which can be accessed via the Lychgate, below.

Whilst the building is part of the heritage of the country, it is primarily a place where God is worshipped and his word taught.

To enable it to fulfil this role whilst still preserving its character and historic interest the church membership have decided to have some work done. Much of this was essential maintenance, but to bring the church up to some of the standards required today some modifications have been carried out in consultation with the London Diocese and our own architect.

The major changes have been to the tower. Here the area on the ground floor has been converted from a poorly planned vestry into a kitchen area and toilets (including one for the disabled). Also a new boiler has been installed and sited on the first floor of the tower.

A new Vestry has been constructed in the Lucan Chapel. This is sound proofed so that small children can use it during services if required.