Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 August 1909 — ONLY ONE SERVICE A YEAR. [ARTICLE]

ONLY ONE SERVICE A YEAR.

Story of a Curious Little Church on an English Hilltop. There stands upon a hill in the village of Uphill, in the county of Somerset, a small and very old church, which is surrounded by caves in which the bones of all kinds of animals have been discovered. This historic place of worship, which looks down upon Uphill Castle and the village itself, was at one time the only place of worship for miles around. For several years no Sunday services have been held within its walls, and the only time that the public is allowed to worship there is one night In the year—on Christmas eve—when the vicar of Uphill or some other clergyman officiates. There is a footpath leading up the hill to the church, but as the hill is a very steep one and the distance great very few people visit the church. It is by order of the ecclesiastical commissioners that it is opened to the public once a year. Curious stories are told regarding this interesting edifice, one of which is to the effect that the church was purposely built on the top of the hill so that the preacher could feel convinced of the sincerity of the faith of those who accomplished the task of climbing to it. The church has been visited by people from all parts of the world. It is the only building in England probably in the world —in which divine service is conducted only ones a year.