Houghton Regis
All Saints Church
Places > Houghton Regis > Churches
All Saints Church stands in the centre of Houghton Regis, sited a bit above the road. There are no written records of who originally built the church or when but it is mentioned in the Domesday book as having about 60 acres of land. What is certain is that it has been successively restored and rebuilt over the centuries. From the style of the church, it is clear that the main parts (chancel, nave and aisles) were built in the 13th/14th Century. The main doorway is 14th Century (although it has been restored) and originally there were figures of saints on each of the pillars. There is one reminder of the original church which remains in use today and that is the Norman font in the south aisle.
The oldest monument in the church is a 15th Century recessed tomb where reclines a stone knight in chain mail believed to be Sir John Sewell. The architectural style of the church tower indicates that it was added in the 1400s. It started out with four bells. A fifth bell was added and finally a sixth bell in 1816.
Sources:
- Old Houghton, by P Lovering (Book Castle, 1988)
- Old Houghton Regis, by D Lowe (Beds Education Service, 1980)
- Royal Houghton, by P Lovering (Book Castle, 1986)
- The parish of Houghton Regis, by L Blackburn (Parish Church, 1976)
All Saints Church by Bedfordshire Libraries, 2006
Page last updated: 29th January 2014