All Saints

All Saints (or All Hallows) is mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, but the oldest visible parts date from the mid 1100s. By the 11th century it consisted of a chancel, tower and aisle less nave but in the mid 12th century the church was given to the monks of Merton Priory, who built north and south aisles and extended. The (outer) south aisle remains, and its acanthus topped columns date from 1190.

The original chancel is now the Lady Chapel, and has roof beams dating from the mid 1400s. In the 18th century, the aisle walls were raised in brick to accommodate the 1722 monument to Sir William Scawen (second Governor of the Bank of England) in the south aisle, and the 1724 monument to Sir John Fellowes (director of the South Sea Company) at the east end of the original north aisle. These 'adversaries' now face each other in the outer south aisle.

By the end of the 19th century, the building was becoming unstable, due in part to the number of graves and vaults under the building. The Revd Lord Victor Seymour failed to secure a site for a new church from the lord of the manor, so in 1891 the foundation stone of the new, Gothic style, extension was laid by the Duchess of Albany, widow of Queen Victoria's youngest son. The north aisle was demolished and a new nave, chancel and north aisle added to the medieval remains, to a design by Sir Arthur Blomfield. In 1909 a renewed appeal for funds was issued and the works then continued to complete the baptistry end, being completed by Sir Arthur and then his nephew, by 1913. A new 'Father Willis' organ was bought in 1892, and soon moved from the Old Organ loft at the east end, to its current place in 1931.

Work by Bodley was embellished by Sir Ninian Comper in the first half of the 20th century. The stunningly beautiful paint and gilt decoration, which now gives All Saints its distinctive and impressive style, was finally finished by Comper in 1947.