Church of St. Michael and All Angels, West Overton
The present church was built between 1877 and 1878 to replace a church of medieval date which had fallen into a state of disrepair: The Marlborough Times of 21 July 1877 records a recent visit to the church by a clergyman who found the sexton busy 'endeavouring to hide the frogs on the floor'.
In 1291 Overton church and its dependant chapels at Fyfield and Alton Priors were appropriated by St. Swithun's Priory, Winchester, and the priors had the right of presenting vicars until the Dissolution. In 1541 the Crown granted the advowson, along with East Overton manor, to Winchester Chapter and it subsequently descended with the manor.
In 1929 the patronage of Overton was transferred from the Olympia Agricultural Co. Ltd. which held the manor of East Overton at that time to the bishop of Salisbury. The bishop was also patron of East Kennett benefice which was united with the benefice of Overton and Fyfield in the same year. The new benefice, named Overton cum Fyfield with East Kennett itself was united in 1975 with three others to form the present benefice of Upper Kennet: the three were Avebury with Winterbourne Monkton and Berwick Bassett, Broad Hinton, and Winterbourne Bassett.
In 1291 Overton church and its dependant chapels at Fyfield and Alton Priors were appropriated by St. Swithun's Priory, Winchester, and the priors had the right of presenting vicars until the Dissolution. In 1541 the Crown granted the advowson, along with East Overton manor, to Winchester Chapter and it subsequently descended with the manor.
In 1929 the patronage of Overton was transferred from the Olympia Agricultural Co. Ltd. which held the manor of East Overton at that time to the bishop of Salisbury. The bishop was also patron of East Kennett benefice which was united with the benefice of Overton and Fyfield in the same year. The new benefice, named Overton cum Fyfield with East Kennett itself was united in 1975 with three others to form the present benefice of Upper Kennet: the three were Avebury with Winterbourne Monkton and Berwick Bassett, Broad Hinton, and Winterbourne Bassett.
The rebuilding of the church was financed by the trustees of Sir Henry Meux Bart., who had acquired the manor of East Overton in 1870. The Marlborough Times of 7 October 1876 records a recent inspection of the church by one of the trustees, Lord Ernest Bruce, M.P. and the appointment of the architect C.E. Ponting to draw up plans for the rebuilding. Ponting was architect for the Meux estates and left an architectural legacy which included the school building at Lockeridge.
The earlier church comprised an early 14th century chancel, a 15th century nave with south porch and a west tower dated 1697; the floor of the nave was 3ft. below that of the rebuilt church. The new church, constructed in sarsen and flint, followed the earlier pattern with some modifications such as the addition of a north aisle and the extension of the nave; it was also a higher structure as examination of surviving prints of the original church in 1807 show. The 14th century chancel arch of the earlier church was reset between the aisle and organ chamber of the new church; three 15th century windows were reset in the south wall and the original font was restored and continued in use. The new organ was the gift of the Earl of Pembroke. The church has six bells dating from the earlier sixteenth century to the late nineteenth.
The new church was opened in September 1878 and the tower added in 1883.
The earlier church comprised an early 14th century chancel, a 15th century nave with south porch and a west tower dated 1697; the floor of the nave was 3ft. below that of the rebuilt church. The new church, constructed in sarsen and flint, followed the earlier pattern with some modifications such as the addition of a north aisle and the extension of the nave; it was also a higher structure as examination of surviving prints of the original church in 1807 show. The 14th century chancel arch of the earlier church was reset between the aisle and organ chamber of the new church; three 15th century windows were reset in the south wall and the original font was restored and continued in use. The new organ was the gift of the Earl of Pembroke. The church has six bells dating from the earlier sixteenth century to the late nineteenth.
The new church was opened in September 1878 and the tower added in 1883.