St Godolphin's Church

The parish church of St Godolphin was extensively rebuilt in the seventeenth century, from an earlier medieval building. Excavations have detected foundations of a Saxon building, indicating that this has been a site of worship for over one thousand years. The venerable origins of this church are, however, difficult to detect today.

The interior also gives little clue to the age of the building. A rood screen that had survived the destruction following the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII in 1536, was burnt after the Battle of Sourby Moor by the victorious Roundheads. The medieval building itself was severely damaged at this time and the repairs removed most evidence of earlier structures. The interior was extensively remodeled and restored in the nineteenth century by the 10th Duke, Lord David Totterington, around the time of the rebuilding of Totterington Manor. In addition a steeple was added to the tower. It now has little architectural interest.

The two most interesting features of the church are items associated with the Little Totterington Furrey Dance that are kept here throughout the year, and the churchyard.

St Godolphin Churchyard

The churchyard today, at the centre of the village, is notable for the monuments to the Totterington family. It was substantially altered in 1881 by Lord David, and the early photograph shown below is a rare picture of it prior to these changes. The Tottering stone can just be made out in the centre of the picture, against the church roof. This was Britain's largest monolith (35 feet, 7 inches, above ground) and was made of the same limestone as the Gorsye Stones. It was destroyed during the alterations.

The Totterington memorials now lie together at the western side of the churchyard.  The history of the family, sometimes turbulent, can be traced from them. They include monuments with fine sculptural details, such as the sphinx (shown below, left) on the memorial of the 7th Duke that was installed during the enthusiasm for Egyptian artefacts in the Napoleonic era. Further gravestones pay tribute to others in the family who fought for the King during this era including the Battle of Trafalgar (shown below, right). The inscription 'One of Nelson's Heroes' has been added around the top edge.