All Saints Church, Hampreston, SZ055 988, 405521 98809, 50.7888 -1.9230. Lead author: JT

There is evidence of a 12th century church on this site, but the chancel (14th century) and tower of the late 14th century are the oldest walls seen today, using Heathstone. Extensive renovation occurred in the 19th century, when older windows were replaced in 19th century walls.

The 14th century tower is of local Heathstone, with Upper Greensand in the buttresses.

On the north side of the chancel, whose walls are of Heathstone, the two 14th century windows are of Purbeck Burr Limestone.

The chancel window is of Purbeck Burr limestone of the 15th century, in a Heathstone and Purbeck limestone wall.

The contrast between the random coursing of the older walls and the neat workmanship of the 19th century gives an indication of the dates. Some of the medieval stonework was incorporated in the new windows, using the Purbeck Burr Limestone, but other windows and the arch of the porch use Bath Stone.

The north wall of the nave was rebuilt in the 19th century using local Heathstone, carefully squared off, and the windows replaced using Bath Stone.

Both local Heathstone and Purbeck Limestones brought from Swanage are used in varying proportions throughout the building. The church has a clay tiled roof with eight courses of Purbeck stone tiles at the verge on the nave and four courses on the chancel. 

From the right – the vestry has Heathstone, the chancel is the same, and the rood stair on the eastern corner of the nave is of Heathstone. The windows are built of Purbeck Burr limestone. The eastern window, in shadow, is Burr, the middle is Burr repaired with Bath Stone, and the nearest is all Bath Stone.

The 15th century window replaced in the 19th century south aisle is built of Purbeck Burr Limestone.

All text and images by JT 18.7.17

The south wall of the nave has been rebuilt of Purbeck Burr Limestone with some Heathstone and Bath Stone. The eastern window is Burr, the middle is Burr repaired with Bath Stone, and the nearest is all Bath Stone.

Bath Stone window in the North aisle. Image is 1.5 cm. high. The dark shapes are ooid moulds separated by spar-prominent cement

Burr window in the south – enlarged. Image is 1 cm high.