The oldest part of our church (the three western bays of the north side), dates back to 1150.

In 1648, the Church was restored and the south aisle was entirely rebuilt, with the bays on this side copying the originals, with the exception of a half capital at the west end. During this restoration, the domestic style windows were inserted in the south aisle.

Joining the Norman bays are two lofty arches of the Transitional period, on the east side of can be seen corbels which may have carried a Rood Beam, thus marking the entrance to the choir of the church in the second stages of its growth.

The last stages of development were the additions of the Early English trancepts (13th Century) and decorated chancel (14th Century).

Why was so large a church build in a place the size of Downton?

Prior to the Reform Bill of 1832, Downton was a flourishing place, which sent two members of parliament annually, and held a weekly market until a much later date.

Until the middle of 19th Century, there were no churches at Redlynch, Morgan’s Vale or Charlton, and so it was necessary to erect a building capable to accommodating congregations composed of people from a wider area.

In 1860, the church underwent another period of restoration, and the chancel was shut off from the remainder of the church, and access could be gained through a door in the centre of the enclosed chancel arch. This was once a separate chapel, originally used by the Bishops of Winchester, who were at one time, Lords of the Manor, when they stayed at their house, ‘Old Court’ nearby.

The First Rector

Our first rector was William de Hamelton in 1281, wen the right of patronage belonged to the Bishop of Winchester.

In 1385, the Warden of Scholars of Winchester College became the patrons of the living, and Nicholas de Arlesford, who was appointed to the living in 1383, became the first Vicar of Downton two years later. The Church Registers date back to 1599, when William Wilkes was vicar, and Richard Foldford and Ambrose Snelgar were Church Wardens.