All Saints
Chalbury, Dorset
Tiny and remote, the whitewashed church at Chalbury dates back as far as the 12th century but contains a full 18th century set of perfectly preserved furnishings, including three decker pulpit, squire's pew and box pews.
It is externally 18th century but reached its present internal form in 1910 when, after a fire, it was fitted out entirely by Sir Ninian Comper with reredos, screen, glass, furniture, gallery, organ case, font cover and all; a perfect Comper church.
The church has grand Ashley memorials beginning with a magnificent tomb of 1627 of Sir Anthony and including a Rysbrack bust of the 1st Earl and a very grand Scheemakers standing wall monument for the 3rd Earl.
Every window has the Comper signature of a strawberry leaf, but they are not always easy to find.
