Architectural Features
The chancel is apsidal-ended with early medieval flintwork and trefoil-headed windows.
The C19 stone font has a bulbous stone bowl on a circular central column surrounded by four red marble columns and there is a bracketed wooden font cover.
The pulpit has a splayed stone base with splayed carved wooden superstructure.
The church has a number of stained glass windows of C19 and C20 date.
The north aisle has a window depicting a Sussex shepherd in a smock and his flock of sheep signed GHB 1883-1961, donated in memory of Philip and Martha Jenner, and the north west wall depicts the Miraculous Draught of Fishes, in memory of the Rev Edmund Clay The west window of the north aisle has early C20 stained glass depicting the Hand of God, birds nests and daffodils.
The west window of the nave also has early C20 stained glass depicting a series of musical instruments.
The south wall of the south aisle has two wooden wall monuments commemorating parishioners killed in the First and Second World Wars.
HISTORY: A church at Keymer is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
In 1095 the Lord of the Manor, Ralph de Kayneto, presented Keymer church to the Cluniac monastery of St Pancras at Lewes.
In 1186 the church was dedicated to St Mary
a chapel at Keymer is mentioned in 1291 in the Taxation of Pope Nicholas.
The Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538 severed Keymer's links with Lewes Priory, and the right to appoint priests passed through Thomas Cromwell, Queen Elizabeth and then the patronage of local families.
The tower is surmounted by a heavy and low spire of two stages..The font is not now used and is much mutilated." A sketch of 1846 of the interior showed a Norman chancel arch with medieval wall paintings above.
The builders were also from Brighton, the chancel was repaired by a Mr Norman from Burgess Hill, a Mr Robertson from Hurstpierpoint undertook work to its roof, Mr Pepper of Brighton carved the seats, and stained glass was provided by the firm of Hardman of Birmingham.
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: An historic church, between 1095
1538 belonging to the St Pancras Priory at Lewes with a surviving Norman apse and probably some medieval fabric to the nave, much restored by Edmund Scott circa 1864 in Early English style with the addition of a south aisle and the rebuilding of the tower and later additions of a north aisle, vestry and south porch.
The interior has a good survival of C19 interior fittings, including 1860s Hardman and Co stained glass.