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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 priest; namely
Rev. Edward Ward Tel: 01952 814886. Email: e.ward17@btinternet.com
For more information about Weddings please click here.
*New: For information about Wedding Blessings and Renewal of Wedding Vows - click here.
Baptisms at All Saints
This picture shows Hilary Phillips, Rev Edward Ward and the
Bishop of Shrewsbury.
This picture shows Owen and Rachael Rigby from Rosemont
Builders with the Bishop of Shrewsbury. The
Bishop also blessed the former choir vestry which is now a new office and new
kitchen area which have been constructed by Rosemont Builders. He also
dedicated a new Advent stand and candles in memory of the late Stella Laidler.
Dedication of
two new kneelers Two kneelers have been given to the church by the families of
Brian Watson-Jones and Arthur Ellis. The kneelers commemorate the Coronation of
King Charles and were sewn by Hilary Philips. The families were represented
by Brian's daughter, Sheila Baxter and Arthur's wife Beryl. Both Brian and
Arthur worshipped at All Saints and supported the Church in many different ways
from leading services to organising church walks. 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. The
postcode for the church is TF10 8BY. If you would like an smaller scale map (1:100,000) showing Forton
relative to the major road network then click here
to go to Streetmap. This again will open in a separate window. Open Gardens: May 18th 2024
Click here To see Poster To return to this
page just click on the back arrow.
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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.
