Archdeaconry East Wight Priest(s) Canon Graham Morris Phone +44 1983 472535 | ||
 | ||
Address Queen's Rd, Ryde PO33 3AF, UK Similar Church of St Michael and All A, St John's Church - Oakfield, All Saints' Church - Freshwater, All Saints' Church - Godshill, Sts Thomas Minster | ||
All Saints' Church, Ryde is a parish church in the Church of England located in Ryde, Isle of Wight. The building is a landmark of the Island, the spire being visible from many places around the Isle of Wight - and indeed from the mainland - projecting beyond the skyline. All Saints' is sometimes referred to as the "Cathedral of the Island" It is a Grade II* listed building, formally listed on 24 October 1950.
Contents
- Architecture
- Services and worship
- Groups
- Choir
- Organ
- Organists and Directors of Music
- Performances
- Vicars of Ryde
- References
The present incumbent is Canon Graham Morris who was installed in June 2012 and who is also an Honorary Canon at Portsmouth Cathedral and Bishop Aglionby Memorial Cathedral in the Diocese of Tamale, Ghana. He is the current chair of the Inter-Diocesan West African Link (IDWAL).
The Vicar of All Saints' also bears the title 'Vicar of Ryde'.
Architecture
The church was built between 1868 and 1872 by the architect George Gilbert Scott. The spire was an addition of 1881/82. The spire is climbed early on the Feast of the Ascension to sing an Ascension hymn.
All Saints' is listed as a 'large' church in ornate Second Pointed style, constructed of stone-rubble with ashlar dressings. There are six bay-pointed arcades with naturalistic capitals. The chancel walls were painted by Clayton and Bell. The apsed vestry - now the choir song school - was added by C Pemberton-Leach in 1891.
There are two side chapels: The Warrior Chapel in the north aisle - which is a memorial chapel - and The Chapel of The Good Shepherd in the south aisle, which was the original sacristy. The pulpit, reredos and font are all typical Scott features, The pulpit is made of Derbyshire alabaster on polished marble columns, and appeared in The Great Exhibition of 1851, winning 1st prize in its class.
The tower contains a ring of eight bells cast by Messrs Taylor and Co of Loughborough in 1866.
There are some fine examples of stained glass windows but these are mostly confined to the north aisle and sanctuary areas, the other windows having been destroyed by enemy action during the Second World War. The window in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd is dedicated to the memory of Samuel Poole (d 1872).
On the north east corner of the church boundary is a Calvary cross war memorial.
Services and worship
Usual Sunday services:
All Saints' is one of the only churches on the Isle of Wight to offer a fully sung evensong each Sunday.
Other services:
Groups
There are several groups which meet for fellowship, study and for social events at All Saints':
Choir
There has been an established choir at All Saints' since its consecration. The choir still sings at all main services as well as the additional services listed above and at weddings and funerals.
The choir's Director of Music Emeritus is John Lea.
The choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) and the younger choristers are trained using the RSCM 'Voice for Life' programme and also occasionally trains with other professionals.
Music sung ranges from Tallis and Byrd to more modern composers - communion settings by Kenneth Leighton and Grayston Ives and anthems by Malcolm Archer, Colin Mawby, Alan Ridout and Paul Edwards.
The choir has sung evensong at the cathedrals of Portsmouth, Salisbury, Winchester and Chichester.
Organ
The organ is by Henry Willis dating from 1874. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
Organists and Directors of Music
Performances
The church's acoustic makes it a popular venue for various visiting performers and it hosts the choral section of The Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival.