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All Saints’ Church in the villageSmall rural collection of buildings with a church. and civil parishSmallest administrative unit in England. of Odell, Bedfordshire is an active Anglican parish church in the archdeaconry of Bedford and the diocese of St. Albans. It dates back to the 15th century, and as the incumbent’s records date back to 1220, probably occupies the site of an earlier church.[1]
The church is built on a prominent site opposite Odell Castle, and was designated a Grade I listed buildingStructure of particular architectural and/or historic interest deserving of special protection. in 1964. Built of coursed limestone rubble, it has a double-aisled naveCentral part of a church, used by the laiety., a west tower and a two bay chancelPart of a church containing the altar, used by the officiating clergy. with sediliaSeats for the officiating clergy found on the south side of an altar. and piscinaSmall basin in a Christian church used to clean the priest's hands and the sacred vessels used at Mass..[2] The interior has tall arcades, an original 15th-century rood screenScreen separating the chancel from the nave, typically in late medieval Christian churches. and a diamond-patterned floor in the nave and aisles.[3]
According to local legend, five marks on the church porch were left by the Devil as he attempted to claim the soul of Sir Rowland Alston, who is buried in the church. It is said that Sir Rowland’s ghost appears every century on a black horse, when the year ends with the number 44.[4]