All Saints
TF10 8BY Parking in the lane beside the church. Disabled access with prior notice (phone 01952 820080) Open daylight hours
All Saints Church stands on an elevated site in the village of Forton, near Newport with views of the Aqualate estate. The original church was built at Forton in 1199 though the Saxon font in the Church tower indicates it was a site of worship before this date. The yew tree to the left of the path is 1300 years old. The church has undergone several major changes but the east and north wall of the chancel survive and the round head slit window on the chancel north wall confirms the church has a 12th Century foundation.
The church is built of dressed sandstone and consists of a nave, chancel and north aisle. The western bell tower is 13th century and houses six bells.
The chancel is also 13th century or possibly even earlier.
The church was rebuilt in 1723 and the stylish font was placed in the Church. There was not much church building at this time. This, the high quality of the workmanship and the unusual mixture of dates makes it a building of great interest.
Evidence of the 18th century work can be seen in the southern wall and its large, clear, round headed windows, and also in the Tuscan columns of the north arcade and the flat, plastered ceiling. The pulpit is also 18th century. The screen is more modern, being added in the early 1900s.
The most prominent monument is the alabaster tomb of Thomas Skrymsher, Knight of Aqualate and his wife Anne and family.
Further information can be found on
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/4413/