All Saints' Church, Godshill, United Kingdom

According to legend, the original foundations for the All Saints' Church were laid in a flat, easily accessible site; each morning they were found transferred to the hill where the church exists today. Eventually the builders gave up building it in the planned flat location and built it on the hill.

The church is medieval. It is noted for its medieval wall painting of a Lily crucifix one of only two in Europe. The Lily painting was whitewashed out to save it from destruction during the Reformation. It remained hidden until the 19th century, when it was rediscovered.

The church consists of a chancel, nave, cross aisles, and tower. From its architecture it is obviously of ancient foundation, and a portion of the present edifice may have stood upon the sacred hill when Fitz-Osbert gave it to the Abbey of Lire. Most of the building, however, is Transitional Norman.

The tower contains a ring of 6 bells which were all cast by Llewellin and James, and are the only ring of bells by this founder on the Island. The biggest weighs 8cwt.

The churchyard contains a Commonwealth war grave of a Royal Engineers soldier of World War I. Within the church is a memorial to Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound, who died in World War II having been First Sea Lord of the Admiralty at its outbreak.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in United Kingdom

User Reviews

Kev Wadey (12 months ago)
One of the most beautiful churches, I have ever visited. I'm a YouTuber that visits Churches and Graveyards. To remember the forgotten. @spitfirekev

Chris Kinnersley (2 years ago)
Beautiful church in a beautiful setting on a hill. The church is medieval and noted for its medieval wall painting of a Lily crucifix, one of only two in Europe. The Lily painting was whitewashed out, to save it from destruction during the Reformation, and was only rediscovered in the 19thC. It is also known for its painting of St. Veronica's Handkerchief (see photo).

zane cohen (2 years ago)
Lovely church positioned on the Hill. I heard the reason it was placed here was. When they started building the church it was at the foot of the hill. And when they went away in the evening and returned in the morning what they had built was taken down to be found on top of the hill. This happened several times and in the end the church was built in the hill and the place named Godshill. Lovely little village with loads of tourist type shops and lovely eateries.

G (2 years ago)
A great medieval Church which overlooks the village. Stunning location and thatched cottages surround. The only issue is if you want to look it's a steep track with steep steps or the village Rd. Worth the slog though.

Ju (2 years ago)
Beautiful little church at the top of a steep hill. Pity the graveyard was mega overgrown with 3ft high weeds.

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