All Saints’ Church has been at the heart of our community for over 900 years and counting.

It now needs your urgent help to secure it for future generations

Join in with fundraising

Join us on 26th May and try Bell Ringing, book your slot using the button on the left.

Or you could do a sponsored climb/walk/cycle for us? How about baking cakes or making something to raise funds for us? 

Church History

This lovely old Hampshire Church, which has its origins around the time of the Domesday Book (1086), has developed over the centuries into the historical and spiritual centre of this unique Hampshire village. There is evidence of Norman, Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular architecture. No description can fully do justice or replace the experience of a visit to this delightful place of worship.

Did you know…

The church was founded sometime between 1070 and 1086 and is mentioned in the Domesday Book?

Aelfric Small, was a Saxon thane with landholdings in Milford and beyond some of which he received in exchange for lands taken to form part of the king’s royal hunting ground – the New Forest[1]. He wanted to build a church for the people of Milford and surrounding area so he got permission from Godric, Dean of Christchurch Minster, and through him Walkelin, Bishop of Winchester. Construction began and a priest – Eilwi - was provided by Christchurch.

The Church reflects the history of the villages in the Parish through the people commemorated in and around it and the changes they made to the Church. The connections between church and village remain strong with the sound of the bells being part of community life.

It is a time capsule reflecting English architectural history with round Norman columns and doorways, an Early English Tower and Chancel with octagonal columns (C13th), 54 Jacobean (C17th) carved roof bosses and early Decorated period (C14th) piscina where priests washed their hands.

In the 1920s, extensive repairs were carried out including putting a cementitious render over the stonework and rehanging the 5 bells with the addition of 3 new bells: Faith, Hope, Love, Peace, Joy, Liberty, Patience and Victory[2]. It’s a fine peal which draws teams from across the country to ‘pull a rope’.  The bells have marked momentous times in village history including victory in two World Wars and marking the millennium (year 2000).

[1] From the Christchurch Cartulary, courtesy of Milford on Sea Historical Records Society

[2] From MOSHRS Bells document

More than just stone

The Church is the place where for centuries people have come together to worship, to mark key events in their lives – baptisms, marriages, thanksgivings – and come together as a village for comfort in times of trouble and celebration in times of joy. 

Today All Saints’ remains a special place where we gather as a community to celebrate school events, commemorate key events such as our Remembrance Day Service and the recent Coronation, raise funds for charities and do many, many other activities.

All Saints’ Tower now needs your help

The render put onto the tower in the 1920s is causing major problems for the stonework.  It is badly cracked, letting water into the stonework and preventing it from draining. The water is damaging the stonework and the interior of the tower is becoming increasingly damp.  The two stained glass windows in the tower are also letting water into the stone adding to the problems.  We need to remove the render, repair the damage and put traditional lime:sand render back onto the walls of the tower. Other repairs are needed to maintain access to the tower and the bells including repairs to the spiral staircase.

We need your help to make the tower safe, keep the bells ringing and preserve the building so it can remain at the heart of the community for future generations

We need to do major works now to put the tower right before the repairs become unmanageable.

We are applying for grants to help us on our way but we need your help to reach the target of around £300,000.