A unique and beautiful church, sitting on a hill surrounded by thatched cottages, one of the most photographed church in Britain. According to legend, the original foundations for the church were laid in a flat, easily accessible site but every morning the stones were found transferred up on 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 (which became known as God’s hill.
The church is famous 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.
Godshill, dedicated to All Saints, "a spacious cruciform edifice, with a singular bell-turret on the south gable," consists of a chancel, nave, cross aisles, and tower. From its architecture it is obviously of ancient medieval 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. Its wealth was very great, and in 1404 it was assessed at 100 marks yearly.
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 church has a stained glass window by William Morris.
Now for the cache:
Stage 1: N50 38.034 W001 15.339
Robert Vaughan Wynne Williams Esquire’s vault. Date of birth: 26th October ABCD, died 1st June 18E2
Stage 2: N50 38.015 W001 15.363
Stone with dates:10F2 - 1992
The cache can be found at
N50 38.A(E-A)C W001 14.CE(F+A)
There are quite a few caches in the area, so this one will be found a bit further, after a gentle stroll, still with a view towards the church. You are looking for a small round screw top box.
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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