THE ANCIENT HISTORY
This Church, as you see it today, is not ancient by English Parish Church standards, because it was completely rebuilt in the early 18th century—about 250 years ago; but it is full of interest, and has all the charm of a genuine period piece.

Abbotts Ann and Little Ann have been closely related since Saxon times, although at the time of Domesday Book the manor of Abbotts Ann was in the Hundred of Andover, whereas that of Little Ann was in the possession of the Abbey of Wherwell. In AD 901, by Land Charter of Edward the Elder, son of King Alfred, the  manor and church of Abbotts Ann were granted to the new minister of St. Peter, just north of Winchester, which came to be known as Hyde Abbey.

(photo kindly contributed by Moya Page)

At the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII John Salcot, the last Abbott of Hyde, who had supported the king over the royal divorce, was appointed Bishop of Salisbury; and the lands of Hyde were granted to the rising statesman William Paulet, Lord St. John, afterwards Marquess of Winchester. A reminder that this
included the manor of Abbots Ann is provided by the crossroads south of the village, which is still known as St. John's Cross.

Parish Registers were first instituted by order of Henry VIII in 1538, and this Church is fortunate to have in its possession the first composite register of "Ye Maraiges, Baptizinges and Funerales" starting in 1561. This register contains many items of exceptional interest to the historian, and occasionally dramatic incidents such as the following: "On Sunday Jan. 29 1664 the sonne of Roger Tufton and a man servant of Mr. Farmer Rouse smote each other in the tyme of Devine Service and so openly in the face of the congregation and others made a disturbans"—a reminder that the duty of churchwardens to maintain order during Services was at one time no formality.

THE REBUILDING
In 1710 Thomas Pitt, sometime governor of Madras, purchased the estate of Abbots Ann, together with the Manor House and the Church. Pitt, who was a forebear of William Pitt, Prime Minister and Earl of Chatham, made a fortune by selling an enormous Indian diamond to the Regent of France; and in 1716 he rebuilt Abbotts
Ann Church at his own expense.

It is his work which you see around you now. Of particular interest are the font, pulpit, squire's family pew and gallery. The Church Plate also dates from this century, consisting of a flagon of 1793, and a chalice and paten of 1801. Four of the five bells, however, evidently belong to the former church: they are inscribed "Fear God
Honour the King; Hope well; Love God; Fear the Lord", and were all cast in 1607 by John Wallis of Salisbury. Likewise, there is a memorial brass in the floor of the chancel to Elizabeth, wife of Incumbent John Johnson, and dated 1613.

Nineteenth century additions include the stained glass windows and the organ, a two manual Bevington. The east window is remarkable in that it was presented to the church by pupils past and present of the village school in gratitude for the ministry among them over forty years of the Reverend the Honourable Samuel Best.

THE VIRGIN'S CROWNS
Abbots Ann is widely known on account of the survival here of the mediaeval custom of awarding virgins' crowns. These can be seen hanging near the ceiling on either side of the church. The ceremony connected with this custom takes place at the funeral of an unmarried person of good character (man or woman) who was born, baptised and died within the Parish of Abbots Ann.

The crown is made of Hazelwood, and is ornamented with paper rosettes. Attached to it are five parchment gauntlets, which represent a challenge to anyone who may wish to dispute the worthiness of the deceased person.

At the funeral the crown is suspended from a rod and carried in procession by two young girls dressed in white. After the funeral the crown is hung from the gallery in the church, so that all who enter must pass under it. After three weeks, if there is no challenge, it is placed on a bracket near the ceiling, together with a small escutcheon bearing details of name and date. Here it remains until it decays and falls with age. The earliest remaining crown is one dated 1740 to John Morrant.
THE VIRGIN CROWNS (NAMES AND DATES)

THE EMBROIDERIES
In recent years the beauty and attraction of this church has been greatly enhanced by the making of embroidered kneelers and cushions, a work of singular devotion undertaken by the ladies of the Parish under the leadership of the Rector's wife, who was personally responsible for all the designs.

Forty-nine of the kneelers commemorate by name those who have been awarded virgin's crowns, while others contain Christian symbols or designs adapted from the windows. The kneelers at the Communion Rail are particularly fine: the theme here is taken from Philippians 2:5-11, and the symbols depict the humiliation (a crown of thorns), the death (a cross), and the triumph (a crown of glory) of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The cushions in the choir stalls commemorate by name and college Rectors of the Parish over the past 400 years.