All Saints Church, Alton Priors
All Saints Church in Alton Priors, Wiltshire, England, dates from the 12th century. It is a Grade II* listed building and is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. It was declared redundant in 1972 and placed in the Trust in 1973.
The church was built with limestone and rubble. Today, only a few 12th‑century parts remain, including the imposts of the chancel arch and some arch fragments. The floor has trapdoors that give access to ancient Sarsen stones, and there is a 1,700-year-old yew tree in the churchyard, suggesting the site was sacred long before the church was built. In 1491, landowner John Button left lead for part of the roof. In the 18th century the nave, the two‑stage west tower, and the chancel were rebuilt. The church contains Jacobean stall fronts, and the 18th‑century bells are currently unringable.
In 2016, lead was stolen from the south side of the nave roof, but the local community quickly funded a temporary replacement. The church has no permanent electricity supply. The churchyard is not owned by the Churches Conservation Trust and is cared for by the parish council and volunteers.
Inside, on the north side of the chancel, is a 16th‑century tomb chest with a monumental brass for landowner William Button (died 1591), a descendant of John Button. The monument was praised by Pevsner for its striking design.
The church has only occasional services; it held three services in 2011, and by 2020 there were no regular services. Local volunteers raise funds with a June music festival featuring the Music for Awhile ensemble.
Historically, Alton Priors was a chapelry of Overton. In 1913 it was joined to the nearby parish of Alton Barnes to form Alton Barnes with Alton Priors. The parish church is now St Mary at Alton Barnes, one of sixteen churches in the Vale of Pewsey group.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 14:14 (CET).