GODALMING MINSTER ST PETER & ST PAUL'S

Arguably the most visible landmark in Godalming, the Church of St Peter & St Paul has stood in the heart of Godalming for over a thousand years.

In 2024 Godalming parish and the church united with the historic parishes of Busbridge and Hambledon to become Godalming Minster, and the church now goes by the new parish name, distinguished by its location on Church Street.  With such a proud history, you may hear both old and new names used. (Other Godalming Minster church sites are Busbridge Church on Brighton Road, St Mark’s on Franklyn Road and St Peter’s in Hambledon).

This ancient grade 1 listed Anglo-Saxon building dates back to the 9^th Century.  The church has a peel of 8 bells and a wonderful William Hill & Son organ which accompanies traditional choral worship and civic services.  A new AV system was installed in 2023 to welcome our contemporary congregation and children’s groups which gather here every Sunday.

With seating for 400+ it’s regularly hired for concerts and school carol services.

History lovers will be interested in the remains of the original c10^th font, the crusader graffiti etched into one of the pillars and the medieval fresco paintings.  Visitors can pick up a guide to the history and artefacts on arrival.

Information on how to contact the church can be found here.

GODALMING WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL

Godalming Minster Church Street is home to one of Godalming’s five memorials to those Godhelmians who lost their lives in the service of their King and Country during the First World War. Displayed above the memorial plaque, which is embossed with the names of the fallen, is the Standard of the Godalming’s ‘Old Contemptibles’.

More details on the Godalming Roll of Honour for those who served in the First World War can be found at Godalming Museum.

THE STANDARD OF GODALMING’S ‘OLD CONTEMPTIBLES’

The ‘Old Contemptibles’ was the self-appointed name of the survivors of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), which was formed by the members of the British Army up to the First Battle of Ypres on 22 November 1914. In August 1914 the British army was relatively small in comparison with the German and French armies.

It is reputed that the name ‘Old Contemptibles’ came from a remark made by Kaiser Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, who was famously dismissive of the BEF, when he reportedly issued an order on 19 August 1914 to “exterminate… the treacherous English and walk over General French’s contemptible little army”.  Hence the ‘Old Contemptibles’ were soldiers who served in the British Army prior to General Kitchener’s call to arms on 5 August 1914.

Godalming’s ‘Old Contemptibles’ association ceased in 1966 as the survivors died off and their final act was to lay up the Standard in the Church of St Peter & St Paul, where it has been cared for ever since.