ALL SAINTS, GRAYSWOOD, SURREY

All Saints Church was designed by Axel Haig, a Swedish architect living in Grayswood. Haig was born on the Swedish Island of Gotland, studied naval architecture in Sweden and then in 1856, at the age of 21 he moved to Port Glasgow to work in a shipyard. In his late 20’s he moved to London to pursue a career as an ecclesiastical draughtsman, and he later became a world renowned etcher. The church is of early Gothic style, built of local sand-coloured Bargate stone, it has a square tower with an oak shingled spire. All Saints is thought to be the only church completely designed by Haig, although he supervised major restorations on a number of Gothic churches in Gotland, including the cathedral at Visby. Wood is used extensively on the interior of the church, giving it a warm and welcoming feeling and the construction of the pitch pine ceiling is similar to the hull of a ship. Many of the stained glass window designs and murals have Viking characteristics. Post code: GU27 2DB http://www.grayswoodparish.org/church-history/