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This was a nice and relaxed explore. Thanks to Druid for the heads up on this place. Unfortunately things have changed since his report as the door is now padlocked. Hence I was limited to externals and a few peeking through the gaps in the stained-glass. That said, this works well given the other two excellent reports on this place by Druid and Sime83 had extensive internal shots, but I have had to concentrate on the external features.
Here's the history bit.
Located in the Derbyshire village of Ballidon and enclosed by a low stone wall in the middle of an open field, All Saints Church is a redundant Grade II listed former Anglican church. Dating originally from the eleven hundreds, over the centuries it has been extensively altered, notably in 1822 (when it was roofed with stone slabs having previously been open to the sky) and in 1882. It was used for weddings and christenings, while burials took place at the mother church in Bradbourne. The community the church was originally built to serve moved a few miles away so a new church was built. With dwindling numbers in the congregation All Saints closed and gave its last service on the 18th April 2003 with, ironically, over 100 people in attendance. It has stood empty ever since.
The church itself is in good condition and is constructed from limestone with gritstone dressings and a stone slate roof. It has two main areas; a nave and the chancel, along with a south porch and a north vestry. The west end of the church has a gabled bellcot. The south (and only) doorway is Norman, while in the north wall can be seen a blocked doorway (visible only from the outside). Inside can be found a Neo-Norman chancel arch, a Perpendicular-style font and, above the font, an old fireplace in the south wall. This suggests a pre-Reformation times room at a higher level, possibly for visiting preachers during their overnight stay in the village. The organ is in a poor way but was apparently cannibalised for spare parts (rather than being vandalised). All Saints is now under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches.
Here's the pictures:
The view that greets you when you walk up to the small Norman church:
img5255 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img5228 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Close-up of the bellcot:
img5254 by HughieDW, on Flickr
East end of roof detail:
img5236 by HughieDW, on Flickr
As viewed from the south-west:
img5226 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The West end lancet window:
img5240 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The Norman doorway:
img5227 by HughieDW, on Flickr
On the south side, a pair of square-headed windows:
img5232 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The all-important foot-scraper:
img5241 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The church's old organ (purchased from Bradbourne church in 1893 for £15):
img5231 by HughieDW, on Flickr
and a close-up:
img5248 by HughieDW, on Flickr
View of the nave:
img5229 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Prayers painted on ceramic tiles:
img5244 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Oak-framed painted reredos of four scenes from the life of Christ:
img5237 by HughieDW, on Flickr
An old prayer cushion:
img5246 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The East gate:
img5243 by HughieDW, on Flickr
and a detail:
img5251 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
Here's the history bit.
Located in the Derbyshire village of Ballidon and enclosed by a low stone wall in the middle of an open field, All Saints Church is a redundant Grade II listed former Anglican church. Dating originally from the eleven hundreds, over the centuries it has been extensively altered, notably in 1822 (when it was roofed with stone slabs having previously been open to the sky) and in 1882. It was used for weddings and christenings, while burials took place at the mother church in Bradbourne. The community the church was originally built to serve moved a few miles away so a new church was built. With dwindling numbers in the congregation All Saints closed and gave its last service on the 18th April 2003 with, ironically, over 100 people in attendance. It has stood empty ever since.
The church itself is in good condition and is constructed from limestone with gritstone dressings and a stone slate roof. It has two main areas; a nave and the chancel, along with a south porch and a north vestry. The west end of the church has a gabled bellcot. The south (and only) doorway is Norman, while in the north wall can be seen a blocked doorway (visible only from the outside). Inside can be found a Neo-Norman chancel arch, a Perpendicular-style font and, above the font, an old fireplace in the south wall. This suggests a pre-Reformation times room at a higher level, possibly for visiting preachers during their overnight stay in the village. The organ is in a poor way but was apparently cannibalised for spare parts (rather than being vandalised). All Saints is now under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches.
Here's the pictures:
The view that greets you when you walk up to the small Norman church:
img5255 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg5228 by HughieDW, on FlickrClose-up of the bellcot:
img5254 by HughieDW, on FlickrEast end of roof detail:
img5236 by HughieDW, on FlickrAs viewed from the south-west:
img5226 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe West end lancet window:
img5240 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe Norman doorway:
img5227 by HughieDW, on FlickrOn the south side, a pair of square-headed windows:
img5232 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe all-important foot-scraper:
img5241 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe church's old organ (purchased from Bradbourne church in 1893 for £15):
img5231 by HughieDW, on Flickrand a close-up:
img5248 by HughieDW, on FlickrView of the nave:
img5229 by HughieDW, on FlickrPrayers painted on ceramic tiles:
img5244 by HughieDW, on FlickrOak-framed painted reredos of four scenes from the life of Christ:
img5237 by HughieDW, on FlickrAn old prayer cushion:
img5246 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe East gate:
img5243 by HughieDW, on Flickrand a detail:
img5251 by HughieDW, on FlickrThanks for looking!
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