Happy ValentineIndependenceLaborHalloween to everyone (hope I didn’t miss any important days in there). Everything just seems to be running together in 2020, doesn’t it?

I had a few minutes this morning, and was wanting to test a new camera, so I took a walk around the church and took some pictures. Thought I’d share them with all of you as a virtual tour.

First up, some various outside shots of the front of the church.

Next, a few views of the River Wey, which runs right by the church.

Then, the back of the church and the view over the Lammas Lands (a common ground that runs along the river).

Now, let’s go inside. First is the entryway. Note the hand-sanitiser stations. Made out of the church’s former pews. (We believe strongly in recycling.)

If you take a right before the stairs, you have a choice (in last picture above). If you veer left, you go into the River Room. The kitchen is beside it, but it’s closed due to Covid restrictions, so no picture of it. I didn’t really get it in either picture, but, as the name implies, there is a beautiful view of the river and Lammas Lands from this room.

If you veer left instead of right, you go into the Hall. This room is primarily rented out to various groups during the week, such as a baby sensory group and a dance class. It also hosts the annual pantomime that the church is famous for in Godalming.

Going back out to the entryway, if you take a left at the stairs, you head into the Sanctuary. (“Behind” the stairs are the bathrooms. I did NOT take pictures of those.)

From the back of the church. Chairs appropriately socially-distanced, of course.

View from the pulpit. The “preacher’s eye view”, if you will.

The chancel.

Close-up of our stained glass window. Created by students at a local school.

The original vestibule of the church. Being used as an exit in our Covid one-way system.

Off of the chancel area is the copier room. Looks like it was probably used as the church office once upon a time.

Now, heading upstairs we find a few more rooms.

Behind me in the perspective of the above pictures is the Lammas Room, which looks out over the Lammas Land. Primarily rented by a martial arts class, a yoga class, and a few other random groups.

In front of me is a lift with a small Committee room beside it. Since our committees have to socially distance right now, it’s kind of become a storeroom for the moment.

Finally, we have my cozy office. It has a wonderful view and I much prefer working there than from at home.

Godalming United’s current building is relatively new (at least for England). I believe it was constructed around 1900, with an addition in the 90’s (I’m less sure of that date).

For anyone that’s been curious, we’re settling in well to the community. It’s not particularly easy getting to know a new church during a pandemic, but the church is going out of it’s way to make us feel welcome. I will take longer than usual to get settled, but I have no doubts we’ll get there.