Church of All Saints, Garsdon

A church was recorded at Garsdon as early as 1265, and the living remained a rectory. Lea church was annexed to it by 1650. All Saints’ Church, consisting of a nave, a chancel, south porch and tower, was thought to be 13th century. The tower is now the only part that dates from before 1856. The earlier building had chancel and nave windows dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. The lower part of the tower was 15th century as was the porch and the upper part of the tower was added in the 16th century. The nave and chancel, built in 1856 to designs by Coe and Goodwin, was taller and wider than the original with 15th century style windows. The chosen material was coursed rubble with ashlar dressings.

The church plate includes items bestowed by Lady Pargiter, including a pair of plain chalices, a paten and large flagon, with hallmarks dating from 1684. This collection was mislaid for a period of time before being recovered in the 1820s and being reinstated in the church. The four bells in 1553, including a medieval example, were reduced to two by the 17th century and were then replaced by a ring of eight tubular bells by 1880. They are still in place today. The parish registers dating from 1682, other than those in current use, are held in the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre at Chippenham.