All Saints' Church, Godshill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church, Godshill |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | All Saints and St Lawrence |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 6 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Godshill |
| Diocese | Portsmouth |
| Province | Canterbury |
All Saints' Church is a beautiful old church in the village of Godshill on the Isle of Wight. It's part of the Church of England. People often visit this church because of its interesting history and special features.
Contents
The Church's Amazing Story
How the Church Got on the Hill
There's a cool legend about how All Saints' Church ended up on a hill. People first tried to build it on flat ground. But every morning, the building blocks were found moved to the top of the hill! The builders eventually gave up and built the church where it stands today. It seems the hill was where it was meant to be.
A Very Old Building
This church is very old, dating back to the Middle Ages. It has a special wall painting called a Lily crucifix. This is one of only two such paintings known in all of Europe!
The Lily painting was hidden for many years. During a time called the Reformation, it was covered with white paint. This actually saved it from being destroyed. It stayed hidden until the 1800s when it was found again.
What the Church Looks Like
All Saints' Church is quite large. It has a main area, a chancel (the part near the altar), and parts that stick out like arms, making it look like a cross. There's also a tower. Most of the church was built in a style called Transitional Norman. This means it has features from both older and newer building styles.
The church used to be very wealthy. It owned a lot of land nearby. In 1404, its value was estimated to be very high. In 1623, King Charles I gave the church's special rights to Queen's College, Oxford. The church still has a special cup called a Chalice from the time of Elizabeth I. It is currently on loan to the Carisbrooke Castle Museum.
Who Leads the Church?
All Saints' Church follows a tradition within the Church of England called Anglo Catholic. This means it has some practices similar to the Roman Catholic Church. The church is currently looking for a new vicar, who is the main priest. Until then, visiting priests help lead the services.
The Church Bells
The church tower holds a set of six bells. They were all made by a company called Llewellin and James. These are the only bells on the Isle of Wight made by this company. The biggest bell weighs about 800 pounds!
Remembering Heroes
The churchyard is a special place. It has a grave for a soldier from the Royal Engineers who died in World War I. This is called a Commonwealth war grave. Inside the church, there is also a memorial to Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound. He was a very important naval leader during World War II.
Beautiful Stained Glass
The church has a beautiful stained-glass window. It was designed by a famous artist named William Morris.
The Church Organ
If you're interested in music, you can find details about the church's organ. Information about it is available on the National Pipe Organ Register.
