July 2024
We visited four churches in Staffordshire all in one afternoon. It was very overwhelming but fascinating to observe the vast differences in design and style back to back.
All Saints Leek
All Saints Leek is one of sixteen churches designed by Richard Norman Shaw (1831-1912). Shaw was a dominant figure in nineteenth-century architecture, and he trained students such as Gerald Horsley and William Richard Lethaby, who were founding members of the Art Workers Guild at the beginning of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
The arts and crafts movement shines through at All Saints, in particular with the stained glass windows designed by Edward Burne Jones of the William Morris Company. Also, the stunning work of the Leek School of Embroidery reviving the art of ecclesiastical embroidery.
St. Martin and St. Helena
Before opening the door of All Saints, you are greeted by six small side windows at the stone entry.
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The Chancel
The Chancel walls are decorated to the designs by Gerald Horsley. The carved and painted ceiling is something to behold.
Chancel Walls at All Saints Leek
Carved and Painted Ceiling of All Saints Leek
The Lady Chapel All Saints Leek
The Lady Chapel features a painting by Gerald Horsley showing the Annunciation. The window, the oldest in the church, was designed by Bournes Jones in 1887 and shows Faith, Hope, and Charity.
Lady Chapel
John Edgar Platt decorated the side walls of the Lady Chapel from 1913 to 1916. They show St. Francis of Assisi preaching to the birds.
The church members were kind enough to bring out some of the oldest work done by the Leek School of Embroidery; here are some close-ups of the absolutely stunning works.
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All Saints Church Denstone
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All Saints Denstone was designed by George Edmund Street in 1860 and funded by Sir Thomas Percival Heywood, 2nd Baronet. It was consecrated in 1862.
The pulpit was also designed by George Edmund Street
The ornamental lock on the pulpit rail
