Each entry below has a photo or illustration of a church. In most cases there are no (or inadeqaute) indications of where the church is, and unless you know the church personally, cunning detective work will be required to discover its identity. That can involve the building stone - is it knapped flint, sandstone or granite? Architectural styles can also help narrow the field, and for exterior views, the surroundings may also offer clues. And for postcards, the location of the publisher may be helpful. Sometimes of course, the mystery remains just that - some of the entries below have been unsolved for several years, and perhaps may never be solved.

Once solved, the entry will move to the alphabetical list here, and, at a later date, archived here.

If you enjoy the challenge of identifying churches, try here as well.
 

A photograph of a church, perhaps taken in Victoria's reign, possibly either in Flintshire (maybe near Mold or Buckley), or Cumberland (perhaps in the Maryport/Dovenby/Little Broughton area). © David Knowles.

This Victorian silver box belonging to Peter Cameron has a church on the lid. Note the tower design. Can you name it? After languishing for years without any suggestions at all, Rob Robinson has proposed St. Bees Priory in Cumbria (properly the Priory church of St. Mary & St. Bega), and offered the following link in support - link. I think the suggestion is a good one.

Paul Way is seeking help with the location of a church in a painting. It was handed down by a relative who lived in the Hove area, but of course it may not be from that area. The artist is unknown, but it probably dates from around 1850. Close-up.

Roger Hopkins found a box of Victorian negatives, and the final Unknown - an interior view, remains unidentified thus far. Not yet a solution, but Phil Draper has this to say - "I keep returning to this church at Langton Green which has been enlarged several times since it was built in 1863. It now has aisles, but the chancel arch and pulpit match (especially if the picture is reversed) and the distinctive east window could have been reset if the chancel was lengthened. However enough doesn't match as well.......... http://www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Langton+Green". Do you have an old photo or illustration of this church which could prove or disprove Phil's suspicions? Judy Flynn's Collection has provided evidence in the form of an old postcard, undoubtedly of Langton Green, and although there are many similarities, the differences seem to rule it out as the location of the unknown postcard - see for example the profile of the aisle arches. The postcard was posted in 1913, so the photo pre-dates this.

Ian Lewis has sent in the unveiling of a war memorial. It may possibly be in Cumbria, but can you identify it? Ian has also sent in this old photo in the hope of an identification.

An unknown from Steve Bulman's postcard collection - 3.

Lyn Thompson has asked if anyone can identify this church. She has family connections in Worcestershire, Hampshire and Wiltshire, though it needn't be in these counties of course. Although the church cannot be seen in its entirety, the sun-dial should help. Lyn thinks it may date to circa 1900.

A Sussex church, probably in the Brighton area. Can you advise Stefan Bremner-Morris where it is? Now solved. Brian Curtis has identified it as the Town Hall at Launceston in Cornwall. Stefan - the email address I have for you is no longer valid.

Peter Boyce would like to learn where this painting was produced. It's by R.O. Dunlop R.A. whose floruit was in the 1950's and 1960's. Painted in a rather impressionistic style, it won't be easy to place, but he lived near Chichester, and painted widely in Sussex and further afield in southern England.

The following are all from John Bowdler's Collection - 3 an interior, 5, and 6 another interior, 10 is perhaps a private chapel.

Brad and Steph MacDonald inherited these large framed photos (1, 2) from a relative who lived in North Cornwall. They believe they are over 100 years old. Can you tell them where the church is located?

This one was always going to be very difficult, but worth the effort! Simon Aldworth had asked for help in identifying the church in some wedding photos. Although they are in a wedding album, in the family's possession, he doesn't know the people involved, who are named as "Russie and Jack", and who seem to have been married April 29th, 1933. The firm of photographers is still in existence, but they have had no luck in finding out any details either. The church is not shown clearly, but the windows may be identifiable to someone who knows the church well. Photo 1. Photo2. The next two show groups walking up the churchyard path, and standing against what appears to be the churchyard railings. The buildings opposite suggest a large town, which might tie in with the photographer who was London-based. Photo 3. Photo 4.
Simon Davies suggested the Savoy Chapel in central London. In more recent years, he explains, the churchyard has had its gravestones removed and been landscaped.
However, upon enquiring with the appropriate archive, Simon has been told that there were no weddings with those names and on those dates at the Savoy Chapel.
Perhaps you can help??

Peter Ord from British Columbia has asked for help in identifying the location where a family wedding photograph was taken. Peter says that his wife's family were from the Midlands. My guess would be that the photo was taken further east, as the walls appear to be of flintwork. In any event, the armorials around the door are distinctive, and should help.

David Jones is trying to identify a Primitive Methodist Chapel. Above the door is a date, perhaps 1856.

A drawing of a church from 1882. Believed to be in the Stamford area, can you give Martin Dean an identification?

An usual query this time - Greg Mishevski is interested in the location for a scene in the film "Girl in the Headlines" (1963), which shows a cemetery chapel. He's provided two stills - 1, 2.
Also from Greg, the still "sec002" here is from the film Secret Ceremony (1968). An identified church from the same film is on still "sec007/a/b" here, and is St. Mary Magdalene in Paddington, but doesn't appear to be the same church. Sec002 also has some resemblance to Victorian breweries or other industrial buildings, so it may just be a background building rather than a church.
Certainly a church is still "sta002" here, from the film Staircase (1969). Greg thinks it could possibly be in the Wimbledon area. Can you identify either location?

Jens Petter Kvande in Sweden has a painting dated 1880, and attributed to James Hamilton, R.S.A. This is probably James Whitelaw Hamilton, R.S.A., who lived in Helensburgh. The painting reminds me of the Romney Marshes. Although it doesn't show the church in any detail, it is evidently a large church, and there may be another smaller one to the right. Can you identify the location? Simon Davies has made a strong case for it being the Abbaye de Cerisy la Foret in Normandy, France. Wikipedia entry here. Dave Godden suggests that the main church is St. Mary in Rye, with the smaller church to the right possibly the Church of the Holy Spirit at Rye Harbour. However, I've also received counter-arguments from Simon Davies, who says (among other things) that the west tower of Rye church conflicts with the central tower in the painting, and also that Rye is at the bottom of hill, not evident in the painting. What do you think?

Another postcard from Judy Flynn's collection. St. Alban at Sunningdale is possibly the demolished one mentioned here (just beneath the church photo), but positive proof would be welcome. The postcard was posted in 1905.

This is another postcard (interior) from Judy Flynn. The only clue is that written on the back is "Barton, Lancs." There are at least 2 Barton's in Lancashire. Although Brian Curtis has suggested Barton-on-Irwell, St. Catherine, he (and I) have been unable to find a view from the same side. He lists a number of points, cumulatively suggestive, including architectural appearance (correct for the known date of St. Catherine - 1860's), and similarity of the lancet windows as shown here. Some more photos of St. Catherine are shown here (search for "Barton"), but they aren't helpful. Definitive proof would be welcome.

Now, a couple from my own (Steve Bulman's) Collection. First a rather grand interior, decked out for Christmas celebrations. Next, another interior, very plain in contrast to the last one.

We've had some success identifying churches used in films - here's another. Ian Stapleton has sent in two frames (1, 2) from Haunters of the Deep (1984). It was filmed mostly in Cornwall, with village scenes in Portloe, but the church isn't the one in Portloe (shown here on Geograph). Greg Mishevski has suggested Holy Trinity, Botleys and Lyne, Surrey. There is certainly nothing that contradicts this in the following photographs on Geograph (1, 2), and the Google Earth view from the road (search for botleys holy trinity) is supportive, even as far as the types and positions of trees. However, the film still was evidently taken from the rear of the church, and myself and others have been unable to find a photo on-line taken from that direction. If you can find a photo, or even better, visit the church and take one - definitive proof would be excellent. Dave Godden recommends Bing birds-eye view for looking at the church.

Two more from Judy Flynn. Written on the back of the first is "Emley, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire", but it isn't the parish church, so what is it? Greg Mishevski has tentatively suggested the demolished Emley Bethel Wesleyan Reform Union Church on Upper Lane, which is shown on old maps. Built 1854, closed 1995 and demolished 1997, these two links (1, 2) refer to it, but don't include photos. Can you confirm or refute the suggestion? Both Janet Gimber and Brian Curtis have managed to find photos which imply that it isn't the Bethel Chapel. See the following - link1, link2, link3 (click "Go to resource"). David Regan doubts that the church is at Emley at all, as he knows the area; he also points out that the houses at the extreme left appear to be of three stories, and there has never been anything like this in Emley - perhaps it's time to cast the net wider!
The next has some confusing hand-written text on the back - "St. Andrews Church, Belfast", and "This is St. Andrew's Church" then "Stafford". Perhaps Stafford is the sender - it was posted in 1916. A neat piece of detective work by Brian Curtis suggests that it may indeed be St. Andrew, Belfast - the website of the church of St. Hilda, Kilmakee, Dunmurray has the following; "The organ was a gift from St. Andrew's, Belfast, which closed in 1970....", and a photo which includes the organ. Although the organ is not seen well in Judy's postcard, there are strong similarities. Brian has also found an old photo of St. Andrew (here), though it doesn't help in solving the puzzle.

John Bowdler is looking for locations for a font. It is rather plain, and will probably be difficult.

Another interior from Judy Flynn. Hand-written on the back is "Thornton Heath", and the postcard was also published there. Judy has found one church in Thornton Heath with an apse (St. Paul), but says it looks very different. Is this the right church, subsequently altered, or is it a different one?

Another two fonts from John Bowdler. The first is clearly labelled as "The Old Celtic Font, Dryburgh Abbey", but John has searched for modern photos showing the font in situ, without success. So has the font been moved somewhere else? The second offers no clues.

Another from Brian Curtis's collection - this is of a church apparently standing in isolation at the end of a track.

Another from Judy Flynn's collection - a Baptist Chapel interior. The text isn't terribly clear, so I've also made a blow-up of it.

Also from Judy Flynn, this modern church (perhaps Catholic?) is on a postcard; the photographer was from Ambleside in Cumbria.

Leslie is trying to identify a church with family associations. The family lived near Duckington in Cheshire from about 1873-82, and in Eccleshall, Staffordshire until about 1890. A family baptism took place in Holy Trinity at Bickerton in Cheshire, and although the present church there bears some resemblance to the mystery church, there are sufficient differences to make the identification uncertain. However, the listed building entry (Grade II) does mention some changes to the building which make further consideration useful. Can you supply an old image of the church?

Henry Tribe is trying to place a church in an old watercolour. The combination of apse and prominent tombs should (if this is a realistic painting) make identification easier than some. Can you oblige him?

Two from Jan Bradley - the first I suspect is not British, but at least it has the title of St. Stephen on the Hill. [solved - see Paris below]. The second is fairly distinctive, with its ornamentation at the base of the highest stage of the tower. [Now solved - see Taunton, St. James, below].

Recently Solved (Older solved Unknown's have been archived here).

Ambleside, Cumbria, St. Anne. A well-travelled engraving entitled Church Near Ambleside now resides in a Christchurch (New Zealand) Art Gallery. Judy Flynn has advised that it is the former church of St. Anne, later re-built, and offers this in support - link (scroll down to the photo of a window in the present church). Although evidently the same building as in the engraving, either the window or the engraving has been reflected side-to-side - note the windows in the engraving has the extra lower window at the left, and the window has the extra lower window at the right. The re-built church (1812) was made redundant in 1940, and is now in residential use.

Arbroath, St. Margaret. Although Brian Curtis's postcard is labelled as St. Margaret, the location was unknown, until solved by Greg Mishevski and Janet Gimber. On Keptie Street, it opened in 1879 as St. Margaret's Chapel of Ease. In 1990 it merged with Ladyloan St. Columba and took its current name of Arbroath WestKirk. This photo can be usefully compared with the postcard. Both Greg and Janet have supplied a number of links as follows - link1, link2, Grade B listed.

Coldridge, Devon, St. Matthew. Curiously, I received scans of two different postcards of an interior (1, 2), from Judy Flynn and Brian Curtis, within days of each other. I suspected immediately that they were of the same church, but had no idea of where it might be. One postcard had the word "Coleridge" printed on it, and it seems that this was the old spelling for what is now Coldridge. Greg Mishevski and Simon Edwards obliged with the identification, and confirmation that they were indeed of the same church, and provided the following links - link1, link2, link3. There are some older references to the church dedication being St. Mary (Simon refers to a 1919 Bligh Bond book). The church is Grade I listed.

Devonport, Devon, St. Michael, on Albert Road, Stoke. A clearly labelled postcard, from Judy Flynn's Collection, but where exactly was this Stoke? Simon Davies, Greg Mishevski, and Janet Gimber all identified it as the one at Stoke in Devonport. They have all also advised that, according to their website, it has been demolished, and replaced by a smaller church. See also here, which says the demolition was to happen soon - the page is dated February 2007.

Foston, Leics., St. Bartholomew, on Barley Lane. This old postcard view is from Helen Cullum's collection. Identified by Greg Mishevski, who also advises of the following additional information - link. Grade II* listed.

Fritton (near Lowestoft), Norfolk, St. Edmund. A highly decorated font (photo from John Bowdler's Collection), which I took to be on a Norman column (which is similar in design to columns in Durham's Norman Cathedral) was identified by Simon Davies, who advises that it is in fact Victorian. Link1. Link2.

Gulval, Cornwall, St. Gulval on Posses Lane. "Helen Howes has an old family photograph, showing Isabella Gee in a churchyard. She lived in Oxford, though of course the photo may not be of there." My appreciation to Greg Mishevski for the identification, who also advises that the spelling of the Saint has been at various times Gudwal, Gulval and Gulwal. Link. Grade II* listed - link.

Kilby, Leics., St. Mary Magdalene. This interior old postcard view is from Helen Cullum's collection, and was identified by Greg Mishevski. He also provides this link, which has a number of interior views.

Lanteglos-by-Fowey. From John Bowdler's Collection - an old postcard shows lovely carved pews. Identified by "Stiffleaf", who has many more photos of the church on Flickr.

Market Lavington, Wilts., St. Mary of the Assumption (interior). A postcard from Ray Harrington-Vail's Collection, this one remained unsolved for several years. My appreciation to Phil Draper for identifying it, and supplying this link to one of his own photos as proof. Link. Grade I listed - link.

Middleton, Essex, All Saints on Rectory Road. This postcard (franked 1905), is from Judy Flynn's Collection, and is of Middleton Church. Brian Curtis, Simon Davies, Janet Gimber and Greg Mishevski all rapidly identified it, providing the following information and links. A photo of the church in 1895 (with less greenery), a drawing from the 1940's. The spire was subsequently removed in the 1950's, when other restoration work was carried out (link, see page 5, para 4). Church Plans On-line says that an application for a grant was made in 1951, so the spire was perhaps removed in the early 1950's. A modern photo. Link. Grade I listed - link.

Milton, Portsmouth, the long-demolished St. James (1841). Seen here in a postcard from Judy Flynn's Collection, it was identified by Brian Curtis and Simon Davies. Proof of its identity can be seen in the Google Earth view of the present church, by comparing the pillars and wall with those in the postcard. It was demolished to make way for the present day church, consecrated in 1913.

Nayland, Suffolk, St. James. Another old postcard from Judy Flynn's Collection, this one is of an interior, and identified on the postcard as Hayland Church. Neither Judy or I could find a place-name of Hayland, so I thought that this may be yet another mis-labelled card. In fact so it proved to be - both Greg Mishevski and Simon Davies identified it as St. James on Church Lane at Nayland, which is Grade I listed - link. Link.

Paris, France, St. Etienne du Mont. An old postcard from Jan Bradley's collection has the title of St. Stephen on the Hill. It didn't look British, and so it proved. Identification by Brian Curtis, to whom my appreciation.

Prestwick, South Ayrshire, St. Cuthbert (1837) on Monkton Road (Monkton and Prestwick Parish Church). Another postcard from Judy Flynn's collection. Original entry as follows - "The next is clearly labelled as "Monkton", but there are many Monkton's in the UK, and even more where Monkton is part of the place-name". Rapidly identified by Janet Gimber, Simon Davies, and Greg Mishevski. Greg also advises that this was New Life Christian Fellowship in 2004. Both Simon and Greg suggest that there have been changes to the body of the church. Link.

Rode, Somerset, St. Lawrence. This postcard, from Brian Curtis's collection, was sent to an address in Bath, and has a part postmark for "OAD". An old spelling for Rode is Road. Phil Draper has suggested that the old spelling may have fallen out of favour in reaction to an infamous murder which was committed there. Greg Mishevski, who also identified the church, has supplied the following links - 1, 2, 3. Grade I listed - link.

Rotherfield, East Sussex, St. Denys. One of Judy Flynn's old postcards, it was posted from Tunbridge Wells to Boscombe in 1905, and written on the back is "This photo was taken the day after our harvest thanksgiving." Interiors are always difficult to identify, so my thanks to Simon Davies for identifying this, and supplying the following confirmatory link.

St. Gennys, Cornwall, St. Genesius. Another postcard from Judy Flynn's Collection, of St. Gemy's Church. Judy suspected this could be the church in St. Genesius/St. Gennys in Cornwall, at SX 148 971. Certainly the lie of the land is similar, but the tower must have had major alterations. Simon Davies, Greg Mishevski, and Janet Gimber have all confirmed that Judy was right, and advised that the top stage of the tower is a 20th century addition. Some links - 1, 2, 3, 4. None date the tower addition any more closely, but happily, Greg found it mentioned on the British Listed Buildings entry (Grade I listed), where it says the work was carried out in 1910.

South Brewham, Somerset. St. John the Baptist. Another of Judy Flynn's postcard, here's the original entry - "Bruham is a puzzler. There's no such place-name as far as I can find, and I've ruled out the simple transposition Burham, and the similar sounding Brougham and Bruan". Solved by Janet Gimber, Simon Davies, and Greg Mishevski. Link. Grade II* listed - link.

Taunton, St. James. A postcard from Jan Bradley's Collection, identified by Simon Davies.

Thurning, Northants, St. James, on an old postcard from Reg Dossell's Collection. Another one of long-standing solved by Phil Draper, who supplied these confirmatory links - link1, link2, and I've also found the following, link3.

Titchfield, Hants., St. Peter. Another old postcard from Judy Flynn, it was solved by Janet Gimber. Compare with the other entry on the website - here (© David Packman at http://www.hampshirecam.co.uk/). Note the unfortunate dormer windows on the vestry(?). When was was this done?

West Bromwich. This old postcard (from Judy Flynn's collection) of a now demolished church in West Bromwich has been identified as Carters Green Wesleyan Methodist Church by Greg Mishevski, Janet Gimber and Brian Curtis. Genuki lists registers for 1864 - 1948.

Whittlesey, Cambs. Judy Flynn has an old postcard of a church interior, and labelled as "St. Mary, W'sea". It was bought understanding that it was in Yorkshire, but have been unable to find a likely candidate.  Thanks to Phil Draper and Simon Davies for the identification.

Older solved Unknown's have been archived here.