We are grateful for any donation you can give to help keep All Saints' Croydon-cum-Clopton stay open and functioning at the heart of this small community.

With churches having been closed throughout the lockdown, and with no fundraising events, these are very challenging times. Parishes such as Croydon receive NO external help to cover running costs, ALL of these costs have to be paid for out of funds raised by Croydon Parochial Church Council (PCC) but if this ever proved impossible, then inevitably,
All Saints’ would eventually close. If like us you wish for All Saints’ to remain open, whether for spiritual reasons, community well-being, village life, or simply historical interest, then please offer what you can afford. Currently this burden is falling on too few people. Fundraising through events is a great help but the firm foundation is from regular (usually monthly) givers and if you feel you can contribute in this way then please get in touch with the PCC Treasurer on 01223-208042. If you do not feel able to give regularly then any donation you can afford through this page will be very helpful and welcome. Thank you. 

Originally Croydon and Clopton were two separate communities lying about one mile apart. In the 11th century both Croydon and Clopton had above average populations. However, as Clopton declined, largely due to aggressive enclosures, they were joined together in 1561. Today Clopton is a lost village, though its site can still be visited. The population of Croydon has also declined from its peak in the mid C19th and, even though this decline has somewhat reversed today, still the population stands as a modern community of around only 220 in total.

The present All Saints' building, substantially dates from the early C13th though with C14th additions and Tower, all set in a south east sloping rural churchyard. A 12th century font indicates an earlier building. The church retains its Post Reformation Pews and a pulpit made up of parts of the original 17th century pulpit and on entering  one is met with a scene of a rare unspoiled gem. Its haphazard leanings and uneven floor, while adding much to the overall impression, are a result of difficult soil conditions and shallow foundations which demand substantial interventions. Thankfully, large repair projects have benefited from significant grant funding but these will only be awarded if the parish can continue to pay its day to day running costs.

The Downing family (who owned and built Downing Street in London and founded Downing College in Cambridge) had extensive interests in Croydon and they totally rebuilt the chancel in the 1685. Beneath the Chancel is a crypt for the Downing family with the crypt itself now in need of urgent repair.

The church is open each day of the year during the hours of daylight.  There is a small exhibition in the church of former village life through photographs. The churchyard is open at all reasonable times and hosts a wildflower and biodiversity project.

MISSION STATEMENT

To love and worship God and deepen our faith and commitment;
To share the truth of God’s word, serving others in our daily lives and taking the love of God out into the world.

ACCESSIBILTY

Accessible set-down parking area is available on the church path. Other limited parking is on Church Lane. Level access from the set-down area into the church via a short ramp at porch. Stepped access up into the chancel and down into the south transept. No toilets. We welcome assistance dogs. Limited heating. Large print service books are available. Coffee and Tea provided after services. Guide Books available.