Fishbourne is best known for the remains of the impressive Roman palace which once stood in the…read morevillage. But it is has a pretty little church wit mediaeval origins, if rather heavily rebuilt in the 19th century. History The church was built between 1243 and 1254, but may initially have consisted only of the present chancel. The nave and bell-cote were added in the 14th century. Little changed until 1821 when a north transept was erected, with a stuccoed porch. In 1847 a south aisle was added, and the transept and nave were enlarged westwards to form the church we see today. The church The setting is a little surprising: although uncomfortably close to the A27, it is well screened by trees and can be approached from the village by a short, public footpath through woods and fields, which provides an altogether more sylvan setting. The exterior walls are a mixture of ragstone and flint, all very neat and testifying to the Victorian rebuild. Inside, apart from a small section of the arcade wall at the west end, the nave and aisles are now basically of 19th century date. The aisles of three bays on either side are each as wide as the nave, and give it a bright and spacious feel. The fabric of the chancel is 13th century, with one original lancet to the south east. (All the rest were renewed.) This space is altogether more intimate, and contains some ancient looking pews possibly Jacobean? used as choir stalls. In one of the lancets is a fragment of old glass possibly 16th or early 17th century. Other items of interest include two memorials at the west end, one in Latin to Anthony Wells (d. 1594) and one to an unknown member of the Lane family, dated 1612 and carrying the crest of the family. Outside on the north east corner of the chancel are pilgrim crosses, possibly made by Continental visitors going to the shrine of St Richard of Chichester, from 1262 onwards. The church has a lively and active congregation, currently raising funds to build a new parish hall.

Away from the sprawl of modern village of Barnham, St Mary's church sits in a quiet wooded spot…read morenext to the old Manor House (Barnham Place) and the remains of the old Chichester Canal. The church is mentioned in 1086 in the Domesday Book, although the oldest part of the present church dates from around 1100. A remodelling in the early 13th century saw it enlarged with a new chancel, porch and a north aisle, although this was susequently demolished. (The Victorians opened one of the aisle arches to insert the organ). The exterior is rather homespun, the main feature being an attractive wooden bell-tower, painted white traditionally as a landmark to aid shipping. It contains one of Sussex's oldest bells, dated 1348. Inside, the walls are painted an odd hue of pink but, apart from the sequence of windows, from Norman through Early English lancets to early examples of decorated gothic, the main interest is in the details: there is a much-battered Norman font, crusader crosses and unusual 'Agincourt' graffiti carved into the stonework, and a 15th century statue of St Elizabeth of Hungary. The Agincourt graffiti is exceedingly rare. Above and beneath a cross on the north aisle arch, are inscribed crudely the words (in Latin) 'Pray for the Soul of my father who died at Agincourt'. The rarity comes from the fact that so few could write at this time (1415), and yet its author could not afford a proper memorial. Below it are more crusader crosses, which must date from the time of rebuilding (the last crusade ended in 1291). Outside, the church has an attractively wooded graveyard, and a Lych Gate with a heavy Horsham stone roof.

Patching village sits just above a gap in the South Downs, north west of Worthing, and above the…read moreglorious sweep of road known as 'Longfurlong', now part of the A280. The village has some picture-postcard thatched cottages, and a mediaeval church, dedicated to St John. History The village and church are first mentioned in the Saxon period in 948AD, and again in the Domesday survey, but the present building dates from around 1200. There is an unbroken list of Vicars from 1282 to the present day. The sequence of building in the church presents something of a mystery, as the fine arches beneath the tower (and the odd orientation of the nave) suggest that this may have been intended as the original crossing. The church was renovated in 1835, 1856 and especially in 1889, when the spire, porch and vestry were added, as well as its rededication to St John the Divine. The Church From the outside, the church is typical Sussex: flint walls, stone dressings and a tall, shingled spire, and Early English Gothic lancet windows throughout. Inside, the nave is wide and barn-like, with a magnificent, original roof. But what catches the eye is that the chancel arch of off-centre, with the nave apparently pushed to the left. Just before the chancel arch to the left is an archway to what is now the north transept, but is actually beneath the tower, and there are also arches to the east and west, all with shafts in classic 13th century style. The chancel is entered through an impressive Victorian screen, and has two lancets in the East End with a small Oriel window above, and a fine piscina with stiff-leaf capitals. The carved reredos is a modern addition. Furnishings include a very fine octagonal 15th century font, with quatrefoil panels enclosing rosettes, and a 19th century pulpit incorporating 16th century arabesque panels. On the floor beneath the tower is a fine 18th century memorial, to Mary (d. 1737) and Robert Bushby (1739). Their epitaphs read: Here Lyes beneath A Lass deprived of Life A tender Mother And a Loveing wife A faithfull friend A Father dear A loveing husband That lyeth here The modern parish includes the nearby church of Clapham and the larger church of Findon, up the Longfurlong road. The church is a Grade I listed building.

This is part of the church but has many different activities available including playgroups…read more They have a cafe with low prices which mean that if you are on a budget you can get a good deal on something to eat. There are computers available for internet access and a lending library of books. Midwives arrange appointments here. I love this place it's a little community place to take little ones.

This is a wonderful parish with a lively and friendly community. Our priest Father Marcin Drabik is…read morevery warm and down to earth as well as being very charismatic. I love their website which is really information www.stswithuns.org.uk

Bosham is a lovely village, set on the harbour of the same name, near Chichester, in Sussex. It is…read morea popular place for tourists. History The Romans founded a settlement here, close to their magnificent palace at Fishbourne, and it was from here that King Harold set sail for Normandy on his fateful trip to meet Duke William - more of that later. It is also said to be the place where King Canute tried to hold back the tide. The church itself is set close to the harbour. It was mentioned by Bede in the eighth century, and St Wilfrid met a group of Irish monks who had settled here in 641 AD. Their leader, Dicul, is said to be buried in the crypt, and the cell in which he lived can be visited. But what the church is really famous for is its depiction in the Bayeaux Tapestry, which shows King Harold worshipping here prior to his journey to Normandy in 1064. This makes it probably the earliest surviving British building depicted in art. That visit set in train the events that would result in the Norman conquest and Harold's death. The church The present building has some significant Saxon elements, most importantly the impressive Romanesque chancel arch, with roll mouldings and a slight horseshoe shape, which dominates the interior, and dates from around 1040 AD, (though some scholars have dated it to immediately after the Conquest). Also Saxon are the lower stages of the tower, the nave itself, the western part of the chancel (with herringbone masonry) and a triangular-headed window in the east tower wall. The two-light openings in the tower are both Norman. The handsome Early English arcades were inserted in the 12th century, although the aisle windows were renewed in the 14th century (and those in the south aisle were renewed again in Victorian times). The rib-vaulted crypt in the south aisle was also built in the 14th century. The chancel was extended in the 13th century, and to this we owe the impressive five-light Early English east window with marble shafts on the rere-arches, and matching pairs of lancets to the north and south. Fittings and furnishings are rich: the attractive font dates to 1200; the north aisle has a 13th century piscina with a Norman pillar as its drain; and the base of the easternmost north aisle arcade pier has beasts on three of its corners with wonderful grimacing expressions. In the south aisle is an empty 14th century tomb recess, and in the chancel is a late 14th century tomb recess with a rather worn female effigy. The north aisle has a 13th century chest with lock. Finally, in the south east aisle window are four roundels of 15th century Flemish glass, showing angels holding the implements of Christ's Passion - pincers, spear, scourge and hammer. They are said to be from Norwich cathedral.

St Margaret's is a delightful village church (although so small, it might almost be called a…read morechapel) in a pretty village situated on a wide sweep of the Downs near Arundel. The church stands on a bank by a sharp bend in the lane, near the rather grand entrance of Eartham House next door (now a school). Though not mentioned in the Domesday book, the church has Norman origins, as the nave and chancel were probably built around 1100. The chancel was rebuilt in 13th century, when the small south aisle was also added. A rather thorough restoration in 1869 renewed the exterior, replaced most of the windows, replaced a boarded bell turret with the present shingled one, and added the south porch. The obvious Victorian exterior restoration doesn't initially bode well, but inside there is much of interest. The west door (inside the porch), with its round arch and plain tympanum, is Norman; so is the lovely round-headed chancel arch, though its impact is now reduced by the (Victorian) openings either side. Closer up, though, the chancel arch is even better: the volute capitals have delightful carvings. On the south there is a bearded man, and on the north a rather fierce looking rabbit (or hare), with tall, pointy ears. The small aisle is separated from the nave by just two bays of pointed arches, of early 13th century date, as is the tiny east lancet window. There are some fittings of interest: the chancel has a pretty floor of Victorian encaustic tiles, and a rough 17th wall monument to two young daughters of the the then vicar. The attractive organ is actually modern (1945). Other monuments include one to Thomas (d. 1800), the son of the poet William Hayley; and (behind the organ) to William Huskisson (d. 1830), former MP for Liverpool and owner of Eartham House. He was famous as the first reported railway casualty, having been run over by the Rocket on the opening day of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830. The church has a monthly morning service, and a monthly Evensong in summer.

St Andrew's is an impressive neo-Gothic Victorian church just south of Worthing station…read more The church was built by the well-known Victorian church architect Sir Arthur Blomfield in 1887-88, executed in the Early English Gothic style, of flint with stone dressings throughout. The chancel has a noteworthy screen and carved wooden reredos, as well as an impressive set of stained glass windows by Kempe. The adjacent hall and original vicarage are co-located and form an impressively uniform architectural grouping. Services are in the Anglo-Catholic tradition.

Spent my boyhood as a choirboy here when Fr. Meade was Priest. I always felt it was a beautiful…read morebuilding although some might think it is quite sombre by todays' type of building.