St Marys Church Alton Barnes Wiltshire
All Saints Church in Alton Priors, Wiltshire, England, dates from the 12th century. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building, and is now a redundant church in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It was declared redundant on 28 July 1972, and was vested in the Trust on 12 December 1973. The church was built of limestone and malmstone rubble in the 12th century, but has undergone several major refurbishments since. In the 18th century the nave, 2 stage west tower and chancel were all replaced. The church contains Jacobean stall fronts and a 16th century tomb-chest and memorial. The presence in the floor of the church of trapdoors giving access to Sarsen stones, and the presence of the 1,700 year old Yew tree in the churchyard,[4] suggest it was a sacred site long before the church was built. There is also an unusual brass plaque to local landowner William Button, with a complex inscription. It has been speculated that the message on the plaque, and Sarsen stones may be connected with the nearby Milk Hill. The church is no longer used on a regular basis with three services a year being held.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Alton Priors Wiltshire England UK
Photo credit: © Neil Setchfield / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: alton, barnes, church, england, exterior, graveyard, grounds, priors, saints, uk, wiltshire
