
As one approaches Godalming from the north, there is a wonderful
view across the Lammas Lands of the church with its 14th Century
lead spire. The Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul has
grown through all the great building centuries from the simple Nave
and Chancel of Saxon times. The Normans made the first enlargement
in 1100 by building a tower and extending the Chancel. From then
on it has been a story of expansion. The Chancel walls, though pierced
with 13th Century arches, still have the remains of Norman windows.
Some with splays of reddish decoration and one in the corner of
the Lady Chapel, which has an interesting medieval painting. The
Chapel and
the approach to it are a fascinating part of the church, which has
retained much of its old character. The most notable changes, however,
were in Tudor times (1450-1550) when the Nave was greatly enlarged
and a parallel ceiling was installed.
The Church is spacious and holds 800 people. Oil-fired central heating
was installed in 1968. In 1970 the Octagon, designed by Nye, Saunders
and Partners, as the church hall was completed replacing the old
church rooms in Queen Street. The infested timber bell tower was
removed in 1976 and the 8 bells rehung to a new steel frame. In
1986/88 the 138-foot high spire was releaded. The exterior of the
church was floodlit in 1995. The church organ, one of the finest
in Surrey, was restored to its former glory for the Millennium.
In 2006 the Octagon was extended and refurbished.
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