Churches of the British Isles

The short history of that earlier, twelfth century building seems to be unavailable. Around the fourteenth century a small sacristy, since destroyed, was added north of the chancel, and in the fifteenth century the present south porch was added. The church was restored in 1803 when a new pulpit was erected, and again in 1845 and 1862. A much more complete restoration was undertaken in 1877, when the whole of the roofing, including the bell cote, was renewed.

St Mary's Church, Parish of Chidham, sits at the north-west corner of the Cot Lane 's'-bend, part of a peninsula which juts into Chichester Harbour. The nave and chancel are of thirteenth century flint rubble, mostly plastered, with ashlar dressings, and roofed with tile. The short north aisle (perhaps intended to be a chantry) was added in the early fourteenth century. There was no medieval tower, perhaps unusually, so the bell cote was added in the nineteenth century.

St Mary the Virgin, Upwaltham, is on the north-western side of the A285 road, immediately north of Upwaltham Barns. Built around the late 1000s or early 1100s it remains little altered in size and structure, although some of the windows are Victorian. The thick walls are of stone and downland flint, while the tall, narrow nave and rounded apse chancel for the altar are both Norman. Some minor revisions have taken place elsewhere but it remains largely unchanged.

Three photos on this page originally published on Lynne's 'Echoes of the Past' blog and reproduced here with permission, and one kindly contributed by Douglas Law via the 'History Files: Churches of the British Isles' Flickr group. Additional information by Douglas Law.