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Forton is a rural parish, the patron of the Benefice of All Saints' Church is the Bishop of Lichfield and the parish is in the Deanery of Edgmond and Shifnal. The church serves a rural population consisting of the village of Forton and the hamlets of Sutton and Meretown, although part of the parish extends beyond the civic boundary of Newport.
The most conspicuous feature of the church are the long Georgian south front and the massive tower. To the left of the path as you approach the entrance to the church stands an ancient yew tree (picture on left) which is 1300 years old and is the second oldest yew tree in Staffordshire.
As you enter the church, which is open daily during daylight hours, the screen to the left houses the tower with 6 bells. For more details of the bells click here. In front of the tower steps is the marble font of wine glass design which dates back to 1723.
Our friendly congregation welcomes you to join our regular Sunday and mid-week services. Details of the services are listed below click here.
The church consists of a nave with same-width chancel under a continuous roof, a north aisle with a low east vestry and a three stage tower. 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 that the church has a 12th. Century foundation. The three light pointed east window with rectangular tracery would suggest 15th. Century modifications but it is in fact an early 20th. Century insertion. The three stage tower is 13th century. The multi-stepped diagonal buttresses, however, are 15th. Century work as is the upper stage crenellated parapet with eight crocketted pinnacles.
The 18th. Century reordering created an uninterrupted space within the nave and chancel with a high corniced ceiling and plastered walls. The five bay arcade is contemporary with this and has Truscan columns and raised pedestals supporting plain round arches. All the roof timbers of the north aisle are in oak and the roof is lined in the same material.
This feature and the pedimented oak screen to recreate the chancel is very high quality work and was part of the reordering that took place in the early 20th. Century. In his book "Historic Churches and Monuments of Staffordshire", Pevsner considered the church "impressive" and included a photograph of the church.
Below is a list of our normal services. Any special services will be added when they have been arranged. Those wishing to hold Baptisms, Weddings or Funerals at the church are welcome to contact the warden; namely Janet Guest Tel: 01952 820080. Email: janetguest16@gmail.com
For more information about Weddings please click here.
Pictures will be added in the near future.
Forton is a small village about 1 mile North East of Newport on the A519 Newport to Eccleshall Road. The church, whose pinnacled tower is visible from either direction, is just a few hundred yards down a lane on the South side of the main road. From Newport turn right a the crossroads just before The Swan Inn.
If you would like an smaller scale map (1:200,000) showing Forton relative to the major road network then click here to go to Streetmap. This again will open in a separate window.
1: Newsletter June / July 2017
www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/archives/williamsalt/home.aspx
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There was a church at Forton in 1199. This beautiful church stands on a clear elevated site and is set in a tranquil rural scene overlooking the Aqualate estate.
