Witley is a pretty village on the busy A283 Godalming to Petworth road, its church on a bank just high enough to rise above from the traffic. The church is an ancient foundation and contains rare wall paintings from c. 1120, from the Lewes Priory school, which also includes those at Clayton and Hardham.
The church is Saxon in origin, with a tall, narrow nave and an original splayed window in the south wall. The crossing tower was added at the end of the 12th century: the chancel and north chapel have a mixture of 13th and 14th century features, most notably a lovely East window in the curvilinear style. The north aisle and transept are 19th century, but fit happily into what is a warm and welcoming village church interior.
The wall paintings are less well preserved than those at Hardham and Clayton, but depict various scenes from the life of the Virgin and Christ: they include the Virgin at the Temple, the parable of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus (the feast of Dives), with Abraham in heaven; the Marys watching the tomb of Christ, finding the empty tomb and the appearance of Christ to them; the Harrowing of Hell; and various scenes following the resurrection, and the parable of the miraculous haul of fishes. Althoguh the colours are faint (mostly pinks and browns) enough survives to show how lively and vivid they must once have been. More paintings are slowly being uncovered on the west and north walls.
Other furnishings of interest include a remarkable 13th century font, with an octagonal stem surrounded by 8 shafts; and a memorial brass to Thomas Jonys (d. 1530), a court official of Henry VIII.
The church has a busy parish life in the central tradition, with a choir, bellringers, and groups for toddlers, children and a Sunday School.
All Saints, Church Lane, Witley GU8 5PN
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