All Saints Church, Alton Priors
All Saints Church in Alton Priors, Wiltshire, England, dates from the 12th century. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building, and is now in the care of The Churches Conservation Trust. It was declared redundant on 28 July 1972, and was vested in the Trust on 12 December 1973.
The church was built of limestone and malmstone rubble in the 12th century, but has undergone several major refurbishments since. In 1491, landowner John Button bequeathed lead to roof part of the church. In the 18th century the nave, two-stage west tower and chancel were all replaced. The church contains Jacobean stall fronts and on the north side of the chancel a 16th-century tomb-chest surmounted by a monumental brass commemorates landowner William Button, great-grandson of John.
The presence in the floor of the church of trapdoors giving access to Sarsen stones, and the presence of the 1,700-year-old Yew tree in the churchyard, suggest it was a sacred site long before the church was built.
The church is no longer used on a regular basis, with three services a year being held, as of 2011.
