All Saints
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
All Saints is a Victorian church built in the French Gothic style.
The dedication of this little church, sheltering under the adjoining Whittington Court, is uncertain, but the fact that it is not infequently referred to as Saint Bartholomew's, suggests some reason for its connection with that Saint.
After the Restoration of the Monarchy in the person of Charles II in1660, the Act of Uniformity was reenacted in 1662. By that Act, not only was the use of the Prayer Book enforced in public worship, but an unfeigned consent and asset was demanded of every church minister to all contained in that book. St Bartholomew's Day, August 24th, was the last day for compliance with the Act's requirements. As a consequence, nearly 2000 rectors and vicars, or one fifth of the English clergy, refused to comply, and forfeited their livings. The then Rector of Whittington, Dr Ingram (1629-1670) complied with the requirements and remained. It is possible that in consequence, the church became named St Bartholomew.
Originally, the church was a Norman structure, possibly following an earlier Saxon one, which has been added to from time to time as seen by the specimens of Early English Decorated and Perpendicular architecture.
St Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ who was martyred in the 1st century AD. He was introduced to Christ through St Philip and is also known as 'Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee'. St Bartholomew is credited with many miracles related to the weight of objects. His was martyred in Armenia, being either decapitated or skinned alive.
