All Saints Church Dorchester

All Saints Church, located in Dorchester, Dorset, England, is a former Church of England building designed by Benjamin Ferrey and constructed between 1843 and 1845. It is designated as a Grade II* listed building. The site has been occupied by a church since the Norman period, with records dating back to the 12th century. A fire in 1613 destroyed the original structure, which was later rebuilt. Plans for the current design began in the mid-19th century, leading to the demolition of the previous church in August 1843. The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 4 October 1843 by Bishop Edward Denison, and construction was overseen by Arthur Henry Dyke Acland as honorary architect. The church was consecrated on 7 May 1845, though its tower and spire were completed later in 1851 and 1852, respectively. All Saints was decommissioned as a redundant church on 13 November 1970 and sold to Dorchester Borough Council on 8 November 1972 for use as an archaeological store by the Dorset County Museum. Architecturally, All Saints is built in the Early English style using local limestone with Ham stone ashlar dressings and slate roofs. The structure includes a four-bay nave, north and south aisles, chancel, vestry, and a north-west tower. Many of its 1843–1845 furnishings were donated by local tradesmen and benefactors, including an octagonal font carved from Portland stone by Mr. Gregory of Salisbury and an arcade of seven Caen stone arches featuring commandments and Holy Scripture carvings by Mr. William Osmond ...