Church restoration
from the late 19th into the 21st century

1890

By 1890 the Church was in a dangerous state, and the difficult task of restoration began. The rooting floor boards were removed to reveal seven different floor levels, steps including medieval tiles along with the 13th Century doorway and staircase to the loft. The bells, hung in 1686, were re-hung and made safe. The walls and roof were repaired, and the Church remained in good condition until 1934 when extensive leaks in the roof led to a horrifying discovery.

1934 to 1939

The Church walls are constructed of a hard local clay mud, and then faced inside and out with stone. In 1934 the south transept walls began to bulge, the mud interior swelling with water from the leaking roof. This, and crumbling joints in the old walls, made alarming cracks and caused more falling of plaster. Death watch beetle had attacked the old timbers and weeds had taken over the copings and parapets. On the roof of the tower a thick hedge of blackthorn was growing. An appeal was launched and repairs to the worst places were undertaken, although not before time as the blackthorn roots in the tower had gown 20ft down into the thickness of the walls.

Restoration work continued until 1939 when it was interrupted by the onset of the second World War. After that, running repairs had to suffice.

1966

In 1966 beautiful medieval wall paintings over the chancel arch were uncovered and restored in 1968 thanks to a grant from the Pilgrim Trust.

1991

The present Restoration Commitee was formed in 1991 for the purpose of raising funds primarily for the restoration of the wall paintings, but to also help with the crucial ongoing task, of maintaining the fabric of this lovely building.

2016

In 2016 fundraising started for ‘Toilets & Taps’. A project set up to raise money to have Toilet and Survery facilities at All Saints' church, Burton Dassett. These facilities are essential for churches like All Saints’ Church wanting to increase the churches use through hosting a variety of worship and local community events such as concerts. Without them

the church is finding the holding of such events is becoming increasingly difficult.

These facilities will mean that the whole of the Dassett Magna group will have an excellent venue - larger than any in the vaccinate, available for all the communities and geographically central to all - for fundraising, social and church events. This will in tern help to maintain the churches for, the 8 village communities the Dassett Magna Parishes serve.

We are very pleased to announce that in the summer of 2019 we installed the lovely purpose built, very functional servery. It was first used for our August Bank holiday Teas and Craft. Servery facilities will enable a wider hospitality through being able to offer refreshments.

We are still raising money for the toilets a And any support you are able to give us with this would be gratefully received.

Church restoration from the late 19th into the 21st century: Join Us