St Mary

C12 origins, c.1200 north arcade

c.1300 south arcade and clerestory

c.1350 chancel

C15 tower and C15 raising and refenestration of the south aisle

The tower has had extensive C20 tile repair.

EXTERIOR: Handsome buttressed three-bay C14 chancel with diagonal buttresses to the east wall and buttresses with set-offs to the north and south walls.

Handsome three-stage embattled C15 tower with diagonal buttresses, a low pyramidal tiled roof and a chequerboard frieze above the lower stage.

The 1899 rector's vestry at the north end of the north aisle continues the form of the medieval aisle and has a two-light square-headed west window.

The 1939 flint choir vestry is large and sited parallel to the north aisle. c.1800 gabled south porch with C15 or early C16 plank and cover strip south door with studs.

Three-bay c.1200 north arcade with circular piers and square capital, narrow chamfers to the slightly pointed arches and some carved detail on the arcade wall above the capitals.

Three-bay c.1300 south arcade with cylindrical piers with moulded capitals and double-chamfered arches.

C14 ogival arched piscine in chancel.

1870s/1880s reredos with a gabled marble frame containing mosaic and tile Annunciation scene, with an integral mosaic and tile dado across the east wall

C19 encaustic floor tiles to the sanctuary

C19 timber drum pulpit with blind traceried sides, 'refashioned in 1978' (plaque).

Font probably early C13 with a square Wealden marble bowl decorated with round-headed arcading.

Wall monuments include an oval tablet to Thomas Steele, Recorder of Chichester, d.1775 and a plain tablet to William Hayley, d.1820, poet and biographer of the poet Cowper inscribed with a long poem by Mrs Opie.

C13 parish chest in rector's vestry not seen at time of visit, August 2002.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: St Mary's Church has special significance as a multi-phase medieval church, where each phase is clearly legible.

It also has a C13 clerestory, which is rare in Sussex, and a good font, probably early C13.

The C19 mosaic and tile Annunciation scene altar piece and a wall plaque to the poet, William Hayley adds interest, but the reredos and seating are of typical C19 character.