Church of All Saints

Church of All Saints in Portsmouth is a historic Church of England parish church in Landport, on Portsea Island in Hampshire. Built in 1827–1828 in the neo-Perpendicular Gothic style, it is a Grade II listed building.

What is the history of the church?

The church was built in 1827–1828, during a period of rapid growth in Portsmouth driven by the navy and the dockyard. Historic England credits Jacob Owen with the design. Other accounts name Thomas Ellis Owen, a figure closely tied to the development of Victorian Southsea, so sources do not agree on the attribution. The construction cost is given as around £13,000, a considerable sum at the time.

The chancel was rebuilt in 1877. Historic England attributes the design to John Oldrid Scott. A society devoted to Gilbert Scott notes that the neo-Perpendicular style and stone lierne vaulting point to the son rather than his famous father, George Gilbert Scott.

What does the architecture look like?

The plan consists of a seven-bay aisled nave, a three-bay chancel, a west porch tower topped with a small spirelet, and a vestry at the north-west corner. The walls are ashlar stone and the roofs are covered in Welsh slate.

The highlight of the interior is the chancel, with its stone lierne vault. Attached columns beside the windows carry the ribs of the vaulting. The east windows hold stained glass from 1950 by Terence Randall.

What happened to the church in the war?

Portsmouth was among the most heavily bombed cities in Britain in the Second World War, and the church was damaged. Restoration was completed in 1950, which explains the date of the newer stained glass. In 1975 part of the west gallery was converted into offices and social space, giving the building extra uses beyond services.

Is the church protected and maintained?

Yes. It is a Grade II listed building. The National Churches Trust records a 2016 grant towards repairs to the balustrade, bell tower and pinnacles, the parts most exposed to wind and sea air.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the church? In Landport, Portsmouth, on Portsea Island in Hampshire, southern England, at roughly 50.8049 N, 1.0861 W.

When was it built? In 1827–1828. The chancel was rebuilt in 1877 and the church was restored after war damage in 1950.

What style is it? Neo-Perpendicular, a 19th-century revival of late English Gothic, in stone with a Welsh slate roof.

Is it worth going inside? For anyone interested in church architecture, yes: the stone lierne-vaulted chancel and the mid-20th-century stained glass stand out. Check opening times with the parish beforehand, as it is an active place of worship.

Who designed it? Historic England names Jacob Owen for the original building and John Oldrid Scott for the 1877 chancel. Some accounts mention Thomas Ellis Owen.

Who is it for?

Fans of 19th-century architecture, Portsmouth history and buildings that survived wartime bombing. It pairs well with a visit to the city's other naval and port heritage sites.