A few weeks ago in August 2017, we visited a few churches in Hampshire and West Sussex. They were all, what I call country churches, lovely and small, sometimes very plain, but all different and all were open……which pleased me no end. In St Mary’s Church in Chidham, West Sussex, were the remains of wedding flowers, the smell was wonderful, its amazing how even a small vase of flowers, will fill a church of sweet smells.
The church was most likely built in the early 13th century, it was first suggested 1210 as the date of construction. This is supported by the architecture of the lancet windows on the north and south side of the chancel which are classic early 13th century.
During the Reformation which swept away the Rood Screen, it is thought that the old stone font was hidden away under the floor of the nave. There the font remained, until it was accidentally discovered when major works were carried out in the 19th century. It was hoped it was of Saxon stonework, but as the Domesday Book does not mention a church, the trail goes cold.
I have posted some of the photos and paintings that I found inside the church. Sometimes they can tell you a little extra, and its lovely to see have the church has evolved over the years.
There are a few pieces of nice stained glass, and one lovely coloured modern window which was to celebrated the 800th anniversary of the church.
The stone work of the church indicates that the stones came from different stone quarries. Caen, Bembridge, Cocking, Lavent and some were even purloined from Roman walls of Chichester.
