white island church

Excavations in 1959 showed that the church had a predecessor in wood at the same location. The site, which, unusually, is not associated by tradition with the name of any particular saint, is best known for the curious set of stone figures with grimacing faces which are now attached to the interior north wall of the church.

The figures were found built into the stone church. They are made up of one set of two small figures and another group of four larger figures, along with a rough-out for another one (suggesting that the figures were carved on-site), as well as a single head. Of the two smaller figures, one sits cross-legged, while the other has its hands in what looks like a muffler. The four larger figures are equally individualistic. One, perhaps female, bears a bell and a staff (crosier). A second (also female) puts its hand up to its mouth and bears a stick and a pouch.

A third holds two winged birds by the neck while a fourth, which wears a penannular brooch on the left breast, holds in front of it a miniature sword and shield.