The 20th Century 1901-2000
In January 1967 the Church and its interior features were Listed Grade 1 in the Borough of Stafford’s List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, thus recognising its significance.
On 1st December 1984 the merger of the parishes of Salt-with-Hopton and Sandon-with-Burston formed the new benefice with the Right of Presentation becoming jointly held by the Earl of Harrowby and Keble College, Oxford. The then priest-in-charge of Salt-with-Hopton became vicar of the benefice. The parishes retained separate parochial church councils.
The Harrowby family remain an active patron to the church, and feature in many of the records for its safeguarding and improvement.
Jesus be our Spede
As we enter the recent century several updates were added to the church to modernise it, such as new lighting and heating.
A photograph from 1900 shows the pews in the south aisle were still facing north at that time, but it is not clear about the pews in the Nave.
In 1921 the church was re-seated and new wood block flooring laid under the pews. The Vicars’ stall was made using oak from the remaining Digby pews.
In 1925 the Tower was restored and in 1928 various work was undertaken. Mr Jerrams of Sandon replaced stone paving and steps in the north aisle. The north side of the aisle was panelled by Mr. Ernest Rollitt, and the Jacobean Font moved to this area, while the old Norman font was returned to the west end. A new oak main entrance Door and Vestry door (designed and built by Messrs Bridgeman of Lichfield) were installed.
In 1929 the Chancel took on the form we see today:
The enrichment of the family gallery pew on the west side carvings of the Passion, designed by Mr Caroe. On the east side by Heraldic Emblems of the Harrowby family and the dedication and the wooden carvings of Lady Harrowby’s Cairn terrier, Tory, and her puppies whose sale helped in the provision of the enhancement.
The false ceiling in the Chancel was removed and the rough roof timbers encased in oak.
The plaster on the walls was removed and the Erdeswicke mural paintings revealed under the direction of Professor Tristram.
The western half of the south wall was refaced with stone
The gallery staircase transferred to the north side through the old fireplace and chimney breast and the removal of the south staircase.
The Digby tomb was moved from its central position to the south wall and the black marble used to form new Sanctuary steps.
The old Chancel Screen and Reredos were refurbished by Mr Rollitt of the Sandon Estate
The organ was relocated to its present position at the southwest corner in 1947 to enable the organist to see the choir at the west end and the vicar. Probably to the relief of the organist, a new organ with an electric blower to replace the manual blower operated by the hand-cranked wheel in the Ringing Chamber arrived in 1948.
In 1956-58 the south Aisle was re-ordered to form the Lady Chapel as a memorial to James Henry Cadman, a long-serving churchwarden. An altar was made from oak from the pews and with riddle pots, and established on the site of the 12th century altar.
In 1962-63 work was undertaken to replace the wooden floor and roof timbers to the Ringing Chamber and Tower. The bells were rehung on a steel frame to replace the wooden one and increased from 3 to 5 bells, gifted by the Earl of Harrowby. Two of the original bells were dated 1609 and 1625. The bell dated 1609 bears the inscription ‘Jesus be our Spede.’
In 1989 repairs were made to the weathervane, pointing to the Tower and replacement stone sills and mullions to windows, plus the insertion of an internal strap across the tower and pointing to tower walls were completed by Bow Bells of Sandon.
Things to see in the church.
Visit the church during Trinity and Epiphany to see the beautiful green frontal made by Mabel Danvers, Lady Harrowby, wife of the 5th Earl. Originally dedicated in 1913, after fifty years of service the green background became somewhat worn and faded. In the 1960s Lady Helena Blanche Coventry, wife of Dudley Ryder, the 6th Earl, undertook the laborious task of removing all the embroideries and sewing them onto a new green foundation.
The Chancel pew on the east side bears the dedication, “‘The restoration of this chancel is dedicated by John Herbert Dudley, 5th Earl of Harrowby, and Mabel Danvers his wife, in profound thanksgiving to Almighty God for the life spared of their only son, Major Viscount Sandon, R.F.A. (T.F.) throughout the Great War, and for the life and example of her only brother, William Frederick Danvers, 2nd Viscount Hambleden, who died on the 16th June 1928: also in memory of Major the Hon. Robert N.D. Ryder, 8th Hussars, and of the men of Sandon, who made the supreme sacrifice.’
In the Sanctuary can be found The Shepherd’s Crook, a hazel root and stick worked into the form of a pastoral staff by a former parishioner, Mr J Shaw, a professional shepherd.
In 1969 a beautifully detailed history of Sandon All Saints, titled Jesus be Our Spede, was written by Geoffrey Frederick Greenup and dedicated to his parishioners and in memory of his wife, Phillis St Ledger Greenup. His work has been used extensively in forming the content for this historical summary, alongside the research carried out by Diane Bradley and Robert Selby and detailed compilations by Ken Pemberton.
The Vicars and Patrons of Sandon All Saints
Records of the Vicars and Patrons of Sandon All Saints begin in the Medieval Period and continue through to the current day.
