For a list of services and contacts see The Loddon Valley Link. The Parish Newsletter of Sherfield-on-Loddon and Stratfield Saye and Hartley Wespall with Stratfield Turgis.
All Saints Stratfield Turgis
Situated in a beautiful location beside the Loddon, All Saints has seen better days. Now deconsecrated all of the important items including beautiful stained glass windows and font were moved to St Mary's Hartley Wespall.
However to-day's church contains many traces of the site's 700 years of history one of which is that the building does not lie on a true east-west line, being slightly oriented to the south.
A severe fire in 1792 destroyed the greater part of the church, along with the neighbouring farm buildings and nothing but the bell and font survived.
A good job was made of the reconstruction on the old foundations, for, apart from the restoration of the fabric in 1901 and a full interior re-decoration in 1965 few further repairs were carried out up to the deconsecration. Recently a new roof has been installed. and it's worth a trip to see this hidden Hampshire gem. (more info.)
The date of the original building is unknown, but there is evidence of the existence of a timber-built Nave in the 13th century, possibly the, oldest example in the South of England. Much of the woodwork is notable.
Hartley Wespall has enjoyed the Patronage of the Dean and Canons of Windsor since 1482, and from 1950, Stratfield Saye, in the gift of the Duke of Wellington, and Hartley Wespall have been served by one incumbency. In 1973 the Parishes were formally united.
Stratfield Saye with Hartley Wespall with Stratfield Turgis now form a United Benefice with Sherfield-on-Loddon under one Rector.
The church is a brick building in the shape of a Greek cross, and was built by George Pitt, afterwards Lord Rivers, in 1784. It was dedicated on 1 September 1758 by John Thomas, Bishop of Salisbury, by permission of Benjamin Hoadley, then Bishop of Winchester. It consists of a chancel, a nave, and north and south transepts, with a north organ chamber, and a west portico, and over the centre of the building is a low octagonal tower with a slated cupola. The exterior is very plain, with roundheaded brick windows and a brick cornice; but the proportions are not unpleasing, and the three arches of the west portico have a good effect