Church of All Saints, Steeple Langford

There was apparently a church standing here in the 12th century. The present church was constructed out of flint and ashlar. There is a chancel with a north vestry, a nave with a north aisle and south porch 15th or early 16th century), and a west tower with a short lead spire. Its 12th century font is made of Purbeck marble and both chancel and tower arches are 13th century. There is also a Jacobean pulpit and the north aisle was added in the 15th century. The church was rebuilt extensively in the 14th century and re-dedicated in 1326.. The spire, which some believe is responsible for the “Steeple” part of the village’s name, was added in 1589.

The chancel was rebuilt on its old foundations in c.1857 to the design of William Slater. In 1875 the church was re-roofed and extensively restored under the direction of R.H. Carpenter. The vestry was built and the porch rebuilt at this time. All Saints is a Grade I listed building.

Within the church is a grand monument to the Mompesson family. They lived on the site of the present manor at Bathampton. Parts of a three decker pulpit dating to 1613 were re-used in the reading desk and pulpit of 1875

Henry Collier, a rector in the 17th century, was ejected by the Puritans, who called him “ignorant, scandalous and inefficient.” He and his wife and 11 children slept in barns. It has been reported that on Easter Sunday 1795 the rector died standing up in the pulpit. He was in the middle of giving his sermon.

The rectory has historical links with Corpus Christi College, Oxford. In 1873 the living (at that time worth £432) was held by Reverend George Hart, who was a fellow and ex-tutor of the college. It is now a private home, known as Corpus Christi house.

In 1973 the church became united with Little Langford as the parish and benefice of the Langfords; that became united with Wylye and Fisherton de la Mare, while in 1979 Stockton was included to create a new benefice of Yarnbury. The parish registers from 1674, other than those in current use are held in the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre at Chippenham.