All Saints, Walsoken, Wisbech 1920s (Wisbech Museum, Henry COates)

All Saints, Walsoken, Wisbech

History of All Saints

Listed Building

Parish church. Nave and chancel late C12, west tower mid C13, aisles remodelled C14, further alterations C15.

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Standing on the edge of Wisbech, close to the historic boundary between Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, All Saints’ Church, Walsoken, is one of the most impressive Norman parish churches in eastern England. Although much of the present building reflects later medieval enlargement, it preserves an exceptional amount of twelfth-century architecture, making it one of the county’s most important Romanesque churches. Its spacious interior and richly carved furnishings bear witness to the prosperity of this former Fenland community, which benefited from agriculture, river trade and its strategic position near the Wash.

The church’s most celebrated treasure is its magnificent fifteenth-century font, often regarded as one of the finest medieval fonts in England. Carved with scenes representing the Seven Sacraments, it is an outstanding example of late medieval religious sculpture. At a time when many people could not read, such carvings served as a visual guide to the central rites of the Christian faith. The quality and completeness of the carving make the font a work of national significance and one of the highlights of any visit to Cambridgeshire’s historic churches.

Elsewhere, All Saints’ retains impressive Norman arcades with massive circular columns and richly moulded arches, while the later medieval clerestory fills the church with light. The timber roof, decorated with carved angels and decorative bosses, reflects the skill of East Anglian craftsmen during the fifteenth century. Fine bench ends, medieval stonework and later memorials further enrich the interior, illustrating the continuing life of the parish across many centuries.

Sensitive Victorian restoration respected the church’s medieval character, allowing its Norman architecture and remarkable furnishings to remain the dominant features. Today All Saints’ is recognised as one of Cambridgeshire’s greatest parish churches, combining architectural grandeur with one of the country’s most remarkable medieval fonts and offering visitors an exceptional insight into the artistic and devotional life of medieval England.

Reference: based on the description of Walsoken in Simon Jenkins, England’s Thousand Best Churches, with additional architectural and historical context.

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1889

The rector, Rev J Young, spent Christmas Day at the Wisbech Union Workhouse helping to serve Christmas dinner. Two days later he was at Walsoken carving roast beef for the poor. Upwards of 300 persons of all ages sat down to a dinner paid for not only by the rector but all the MP for North West Norfolk, Lord Henry Bentinck and Mr R Bath. The meal took place in New Walsoken Ward Schools. After tea there was entertainment provided by Mr J S Johnson, the butcher of Wisbech market place, who sang several of his well known character songs. There was the Wisbech Union Minstrel Troupe (the Workhouse boys) as well as several other solo singers. (account from contemporary newspaper recorded in A Fenland Christmas by Chris Carling).