There is evidence that there was a church building in Odell village from as early as 1220, when Robert of Dunton is recorded as minister. A coffin lid also survives from this century. The present All Saints, however, dates from the 15th century. Built of limestone from Northamptonshire, it is a little atypical of Bedfordshire churches. In the late 17th century the building was greatly improved and in 1820 a clock was put in the tower. Further improvements were made in 1868, and in 1958 a sixth bell was added to the ring.
According to local legend, five strange marks on the church porch were left by the Devil as he tried to claim the soul of Sir Rowland Alston, who is buried in the church. It is said that Sir Rowland's ghost appears on a black horse every 100 years (those which end in the numbers -44).
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