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, Godshill is an old and important parish church in the Church of England. It is located in the village of Godshill on the Isle of Wight, a large island off the south coast of England.
Contents
History of All Saints' Church
How did the church get on the hill?
There's a cool legend about how All Saints' Church ended up on a hill. People say the builders first tried to build it on flat land. But every morning, the foundations they laid would mysteriously move to the top of the hill where the church stands today! Eventually, the builders gave up and built the church on the hill. This is why it's called "Godshill."
What makes the church special?
This church is very old, dating back to the Middle Ages. It's famous for a special painting on its wall called a Lily crucifix. This type of painting is very rare, with only two known in all of Europe!
During a time called the Reformation, many church artworks were destroyed. To save the Lily painting, it was covered with white paint. It stayed hidden for hundreds of years until it was found again in the 1800s.
The church building itself is quite old. Parts of it might have been there when it was given to an Abbey in France a long time ago. Most of the church you see today was built in a style called Transitional Norman.
Church treasures and connections
All Saints' Church still has a special cup called a Chalice from the time of Elizabeth I. This chalice is currently on loan to the Carisbrooke Castle Museum for people to see.
In 1623, King Charles I gave the right to choose the church's priest to Queen's College, Oxford. This means the college has a special connection to the church.
Church traditions and bells
All Saints' Church follows the Anglo-Catholic tradition within the Church of England. This means it has some practices that are similar to those in the Roman Catholic Church. It's a special kind of parish that gets guidance from a specific bishop, the Bishop of Richborough.
The church tower has a set of six bells. These bells were all made by the same company, Llewellin and James. They are the only set of bells by this maker on the whole Isle of Wight! The biggest bell weighs about 8cwt (which is about 400 kilograms).
War memorials
The churchyard is a resting place for a soldier from the Royal Engineers who died in World War I. His grave is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 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.
Stained Glass Windows
The church has a beautiful stained glass window designed by a famous artist named William Morris.
Organ
You can find details about the church's organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
