St Mary's stands at one end of a sprawling churchyard, a few minutes from the village's main…read morestreet. The site of a church since Saxon times, the present building is an amalgam of work from the Norman to Victorian periods. History The church is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and the original 11th century Norman nave now forms the north aisle, together with a Lady Chapel, formerly the chancel. A new nave was added in the 13th century, and from this date survive the arch at the east end of the north aisle, and an arch between the present Lady Chapel and chancel, as well as the windows of the north aisle. What is now the north arcade was rebuilt in Perpendicular Gothic style in the 15th century. In 1731 the original shingled spire was struck by lightning, but repaired so badly that in 1745 it collapsed, bringing down part of the nave. The nave and tower were rebuilt in 1750, though the nave rebuilt in 1843, and again in 1876, when the present south aisle, with an arcade matching that of the north aisle, were added. The chancel was also extended eastwards at this time. The present chancel arch is Victorian: the original chancel arch now rests between the chancel and the vestry. The church The church is unusual for this part of Sussex, being built of stone with ashlar dressings, built rather than of flint. The plain but handsome west tower built in 1750 stands over the three gables of the church and aisles. Inside, the interior is dominated by the nave arcades which, although 500 years apart in date, are happily well matched, with piers composed of four attached shafts. The 13th century arch in the north aisle is pointed but tapered slightly towards the imposts, giving a 'horseshoe' appearance. There is a brass to a former Rector, Henry Wilshaw (d. 1591) on the south chancel wall, and some imposing 19th century wall monuments, including one by the sculptor Sir Richard Westmacott to Sir Henry Hollis Bradford (1781-1816). A Lieutenant Colonel in the First Grenadier Foot Guards, Bradford died at La Vacherie, near Lilliere, on December 7. 1816, of wounds received at the Battle of Waterloo. In the graveyard, in a small area enclosed by privet hedges, is the grave to the Jesuit Father George Tyrrell (1861-1909). Regarded by some as the foremost intellect among English Jesuits since the Reformation, he was an important Catholic theologian whose modernist views led him to be expelled from the Jesuits and excommunicated, although he is now more usually regarded as ahead of his time. The gravestone is an early example of the sculptor and stonecutter, Eric Gill. Today the church is the centre of a busy Parish life, and on my visit I was treated to some fine change-ringing by local bell-ringers.

I just love old churches and this one is sure to please. I went round here on my way to parham…read morehouse, to see another church. so much history. take the camera, you will not be disappointed

Pevsner's 'The Buildings of England' describes St Bartholomew's as 'an unforgettable experience',…read moreand it's hard to better that description. This Victorian gothic edifice, just outside the centre of Brighton, is one of the most dramatic parish churches in the UK, with one of the highest naves in Europe. At 135ft (41m), it is just 7 feet lower than that of Cologne Cathedral. For many years, it dominated the view to the east as you arrived by train into Brighton station. (Alas, a sight no longer available thanks to the erection of some appallingly dull blocks of offices and flats). The building was the brainchild of Father Arthur Douglas Wagner, (1824-1902) himself son of the Vicar of Brighton, and a colourful local character: a wealthy young man, he was ordained in 1849, and became priest of St Paul's, Brighton (see separate Qype entry), which his father had essentially built for him. A leading Catholic Revivalist, and determined to develop a ministry to the poor, A D Wagner was to build several churches in Brighton, all out of his own pocket. Of these, St Bartholomew's is the best known. Built in 1872-74 to designs by a local architect, Edmund Scott, St Bartholomew's is in a plain Gothic style, and of brick throughout. The church is aligned north-south, with the main (ritual West) entrance on Ann Street. Standing in front of this gives a good foretaste of what is to come: a towering brick facade, containing a truly huge Rose Window, it completely dominates its surroundings. Once inside, the eye is immediately drawn upwards and forwards: the wooden wagon roof simply disappears in darkness, and nine bays of huge pointed arches lead the eye to a sanctuary containing an enormous baldachino, 45ft (15m) high, covered entirely in marble. The arches each contain a shallow chapel with a single lancet, with another lancet in the clerestory above. Polychromatic bricks are all that relieve the scale, for there is virtually no other ornament in the architecture. The accumulated grime on the walls gives the interior a dark and mysterious feel. The intended chancel was never built, and instead a sanctuary was created at the east end of the nave. This accommodates the baldachino and a huge pulpit also of marble both by the noted arts and crafts designer, Henry Wilson (1864-1924). He also designed the Lady Altar also known as the silver altar with a repoussé frontal of silver plate on copper and the pair of pillar-sized candlesticks either side of the altar. The whole effect is breathtakingly dramatic, and perfectly suited to the high Anglo-Catholic ritual and superb liturgical music, for which the church is renowned. The church has an active and busy parish life, and a weekly mass for the attached junior school. A constant stream of visitors from around the world walks through its doors daily, to see this astonishing building for themselves.

I walk past this sky scraper like church on my way to Sainsbury's, recently I ventured in to have a…read morepeak. I'm not religious, and I don't think that helps really. I found all the bronze and silver statues of Jesus and various friends dying to be a bit glum, and also a bit anthithetical given that the church asks for donations. In terms of the building though, it's unbelievably tall. From what I read, it's the tallest church in Europe, for that along, definitely visit if you're nearby. I found it massively interesting, the architecture is unlike much else, as is the slightly scared feeling you get walking around inside.

St Peter's Church is one of Brighton's most distinctive landmarks. Slightly out of the city centre…read moreon the main A23 to and from London, it sits in the middle of the gardens which run down to the sea, in splendid isolation. For many, it is the first memorable sight on entering the city. It is a grade II* listed building. The church was built originally as a 'Chapel of Ease' of the then parish church of St Nicholas, to accommodate the growing population of the city in the first quarter of the 19th century. A competition was held to design it, won by the young Charles Barry, later to find fame as the architect of the Houses of Parliament. The church was begun in 1824 and consecrated in 1828. Orientated north-south, the church had large aisle galleries and a simple hexagonal apse, making the interior typical of the 'preaching boxes' of the time. The exterior, however, with its confident Perpendicular Gothic forms - rows of buttresses and pinnacles and an innovative tower design - was a major departure for the time; the classical style was still in vogue for church building, alongside the more stylised 'Gothick' used in many country houses: many regard St Peter's as the most important neo-Gothic church of the pre-Victorian period. The church was substantially altered between 1898 and 1907 when the east end was replaced with a more traditional chancel, to designs by Somers Clarke and Micklethwaite. Built in deep yellow local sandstone, and itself an impressive work of late Perpendicular Gothic, this has, however, always contrasted somewhat uncomfortably with the earlier work in colour (Barry built in and style. The interior galleries were removed at the same time. Whilst this undoubtedly opened up the nave, it also drained some of the character from what is otherwise an impressive space. The church has a number of impressive windows by Kempe, perhaps most notably the jaw-droppingly vast east window, and the east and south-east windows in the south chapel. Increasing maintenance costs (not aided by elements of the original design, not least the unsuitably of Barry's stonework to resists the effects of salt-laden seaside air) were becoming beyond the means of its congregation, and led to the decision to declare the church redundant. It was closed in July 2009 and is now being run as a 'church plant' by Holy Trinity, Brompton, founders of the Alpha Course.

I find it pretty hard rating a church out of five, what with all the balancing my own quite open…read morebut non believing tendencies, with respect for those who do believe, I find I'm in a bit of a conundrum. But...I'll go for 3 stars. It's big and imposing, but it's also quite worn and tattered from the outside. 19th Century churches always make me think of Dicken's and Oliver, and general scary Victorian strictness, so I don't warm to this church all that much. However some of the glass windows and the art work in the ceiling is magnificent, and I'm sure with a full on choir in here, it can become pretty special.

This is a multi-faith establishment so anyone can come here to do what it is you do for your…read morespecific religion. It is a very important step towards religions easing on their conflict if different beliefs can be brought together in one place. Again, it is a great space that can be used by the public for hire as long as it is used correctly. This is a sign that all religions need to get up to date and raise funds by utilising what they have.

Brighton's Unitarian Chapel is one of its best known architectural landmarks. Located on New Road,…read moreopposite the Dome concert hall and just along from the Theatre Royal, it's right in the heart of the City's life. History The Chapel's history started in 1793, when a small congregation was formed from a group of people expelled from a Baptist Church for expressing Unitarian Universalist beliefs (specifically for rejecting the theology of predestination). Meeting first in each other's houses, and then in a chapel in Jew Street, they raised the funds for their own church in 1819, which was completed in 1820. The community has been worshipping there ever since. The building The architect was Amon Henry Wilds, who is well known for designing many of Brighton and Hove's impressive Georgian terraces, especially in Kemp Town. Here, he delivered a severely classical design, with a facade consisting of a huge pediment supported by 4 Doric columns. It is said to have been inspired by the Temple of Theseus in Athens, although it reminds me of the famous Doric Arch that used to sit in front of Euston station. After this impressive start, the interior is rather plain - just a square room with modern seating, albeit it with some colourful Victorian stained glass. Practicalities The church is open most days for visitors, and is a major venue for the Brighton festival each May, along with the BBC Brighton Live programme in September, and the World Sacred Music festival. The church is accessible for wheelchairs (access ramp and disabled toilets) and has a hearing loop. The main service is at 11:00 on Sundays.

The parish church of St Nicholas in Compton has the double honour of being Surrey's best Norman…read morechurch, and of possessing England's only two-storeyed sanctuary. It is well worth a visit. The lower part of the tower and the corners of the nave date from the earlier Saxon church. The Norman work is in two phases: the chancel arch and chancel date from 1080-1100, and the aisles with their solid, rounded arcades, together with the upper sanctuary, date from 1160-80. The only major later addition was the upper part of the tower with its shingle broached spire, in the late 13th or 14th centuries. The porch is Victorian. Inside, the whitewash reveals a wealth of Norman decoration. The chancel arch has fine dogtooth carving, and the capitals of the arcade piers have scalloped and crude foliage designs. The east nave wall has the remains of an unusual 15th century painted decoration, of stepped cubes in perspective, instead of the usual Judgement. The chancel is a gem: the lower sanctuary is framed by an exquisite arch with roll mouldings, saw-tooth and dog-tooth ornament. The balustrade of the lower sanctuary is Jacobean, c. 1620 (as are the fine pulpit and screen), but this is outshone by the Romanesque balustrade of the upper sanctuary: this is original Norman work (c. 1180), making it the oldest architectural timberwork in situ in England. Squints to the north and south chancel walls may relate to anchorite cells: that on the south side may have been a chantry chapel. An ancient wooden staircase joins the two sanctuaries. The fittings and fixtures are equally rich: the north aisle and lower sanctuary have 14th and 15th century tomb recesses, and piscinas and aumbries abound. The chancel arch has rare Crusader graffiti, a 12th century image of a knight with a pointed helmet, with crosses and intersecting circles. The east window has 13th century stained glass of the Virgin and Child, and in the nave floor are brasses to the Thomas Genning and his family (d. 1508), though sadly with some of the images missing. The church has no fewer than four services on a Sunday. After your visit, the nearby Watts Cemetery Chapel provides a striking contrast of Arts and Crafts workmanship.

It is many many years since I went inside St Nichols Church and it warms my heart looking at the…read morephotographs to see that it has not been ripped apart in the name of 'modernisation' It is one wish on my 'bucket list' to visit the Church again - there is no reason why I should not and would choose a fine warm Sunday to journey up from Bognor Regis - it is not a million miles away - and mingle in with the congregation. I spent a few years of my childhood living in Binscombe but then it was just a little village - a far cry from that now, and what was the road is now a pavement! Thank you so much for preserving some of our heritage I know it isn't an easy task, while nothing lasts forever! it would be so sad to loose everything at this point in time...

Just love this Church near Worthing! Maybridge Community Church is a growing friendly place to…read moreWorship with excellent teaching. There are lots of Worthing Churches so we are spoilt for choice but our family just found Maybridge suited our needs of a lively modern group of 'down to earth' people that are trying to live the Jesus life. The leadership are very transparent and that is very refreshing as the whole church community are involved in the prayerful way forward. Lots of things going on for children, youth, adults & senior citizens - Very involved with community projects. A perfect church? No, I don't think they exist, but certainly it's the best that we have experienced.

Littlehampton's parish church is a modern (20th century) building, but built in a traditional…read morestyle, and sits in a lovely tree-filled churchyard in the centre of the town. History There has been a church on the site since around 1110, which later (18th century) pictures show as a traditional Sussex amalgam of Norman and Gothic styles, with a tower and short spire. But by the early 1820s it was too small for the expanding town and needed serious repair, so a new church was built in 1826, preserving some of the original elements, to designs by George Draper. However, after a century of use, this 'new' church had itself become too small for the needs of the parish, and in the 1930s plans were drawn up to remodel and substantially enlarge the church by the architect W.H. Randoll Blacker. He used parts of the 1826 structure, encased in modern brick, but also added significant extensions of his own. It was completed in 1935-7, and it is this which we see today. The church The exterior style is essentially a very plain, 20th century take on Neo-Gothic, executed in brick with stone dressings. The nave windows have Y-tracery with distinctive broad transoms which contain carved shields. The tower is also very plain, but contains the clock-face from the Victorian church, as well as a 14th-century window from the mediaeval church set on the west side. (Interestingly, the listing regards this window as coming from the 1826 church, but 18th century pictures show this as the original east window in the mediaeval predecessor). The interior is surprisingly spacious, with a broad nave, galleried aisles and transepts, and a west organ gallery. The chancel terminates in an apse which has its own westward arch. Although the architectural style is predominantly Gothic, the the main fittings (pulpit, gallery balustrades and chancel screen) are in a Classical 18th century style which, with the clear glass and whitewashed walls, give it a more 18th century feel. There are some other fittings of interest. The font, with marble columns, decorated with cherubs and fleur-de-lis, is from Draper's church. Memorials from the earlier churches line the gallery walls and there are several fragments of the Victorian stained glass inserted in the later windows. The floor at the west end also incorporates memorial floor slabs from the mediaeval church, some dating back to the 1720s, and some piscinas and stoups, presumably from the mediaeval church, can also be seen. The church received particular praise from Nikolaus Pevsner in his Sussex volume of The Buildings of England: he stated that the interaction of the fittings and space 'gives one a lot of respect for the designer'. Praise indeed. The building is Listed at Grade II. Today, the church the centre of an active parish life, with a daily act of worship. The parish is a member of the 'Forward in Faith' grouping.

Kings Church Lewes is a vibrant church of all ages that is committed to Jesus and making him known…read more It is part of the Newfrontiers family of churches. About 100 adults plus children meet regularly on Sunday mornings and in smaller groups throughout the week. As well as this they run an excellent parent and toddler group each Friday called King's Tots, serving tea and hot buttered toast on arrival! It is very well run with a good range of toys in a clean environment, with story, song and snack time thrown in too. The people involved in running it are really welcoming and friendly. Other events they run are the Alpha course for people interested in exploring the Christian faith, as well as socials such as quiz nights. The Sunday morning meetings are well worth dropping into as the worship is lively and god-centered with gifted musicians and the preaching is exceptional - easy to listen to, yet challenging and relevant to everyday life. If you have children these will be well catered for after the worship time as they meet in their own groups, from creche age upwards. Again, I can only reiterate that the people are friendly and you will be made very welcome!