Churches
St Peter and St Paul / St Nicholas (Itchenor) / St James C of E / St Mary the Virgin / St Peter and St Mary / Holy Trinity / St Mary's / St John the Evangelist / St Nicholas (Thorney Island) / St Thomas a Beckett / St Peter's
St Peter and St Paul, West Wittering
Local tradition tells of iron rings that were once embedded in the walls of the lovely church of St Peter and St Paul so that fishermen could moor their boats there in days gone by.
More information: www.crsbi.ac.uk/ed/sx/wwitt/index.htm
St Nicholas, Itchenor
Around 1175 the then lord of Itchenor built a chapel on the manor which developed into a parish church by the end of the century. The church is dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of seamen and has its own graveyard.
More information: www.westgallerychurches.com/Sussex/West_Itchenor/West_Itchenor.html
St James C of E, Birdham
The Church, which was dedicated to St Leonard until about 1900 but is now dedicated to St James, was built in the 14th century and has a 16th century tower. It was much restored in the 19th century.
More information: www.birdham.org.uk/birdham-village/
St Mary the Virgin, Apuldram
The original church was built c.1100 AD and whilst still belonging to the College of Bosham, was reconstructed about 1250 AD. Building restoration, carried out in 1877, was extensive, lasting 5 summer months. The entire roof was restored, including the bell turret. A new pavement of red and black tiles was laid along the centre length of the Church. The bells were rehung and the font moved to its present position, supported by 4 new pedestal shafts. The old central shaft is medieval and the font itself is 12th Century. The present re-roofing was completed in 1999.
The wooden screen on the right as you enter the church door dates from before 1400. The porch was paved and re-roofed in 1877.
More information: www.apuldramchurch.co.uk/l
St Peter and St Mary, Fishbourne
This simple Church has stood in it's peaceful setting for more than 700 years, overlooking Fishbourne Creek and the water meadows. A Chichester Register of the period 1243/54 indicates that the Church was in existence at that time. The Rectors' Board (illustrated - centreright) lists the first Rector as being in office in 1326.
The original church probably consisted of the present Chancel only; the Nave and Bell-cote are thought to have been added in the 14th century. In the 17th century the transept, porch and south aisle were added. On the external north-east corner are found Pilgrim marks, consisting of several small crosses (see centre left). These are believed to have been cut by pilgrims from the continent who had landed in Portsmouth and were making their way to the Shrine of St. Richard in Chichester Cathedral. These pilgrimages took place between 1262 (the year of the Saint's canonization) and 1538 when the shrine was destroyed by Henry VIII's commissioners.
More information: http://www.fishbournechurch.org.uk/
Holy Trinity, High Street, Bosham
This is a spectacular Saxon church in a wonderful setting. There are historical connections to King Harold and King Canute. There is a Saxon arch and Saxon tower. Early English east window and a copy of a part of the Bayeaux Tapestry in which the church is depicted.
Open daily dawn to dusk.
More information: http://www.boshamvillage.co.uk.
St Mary's, Cot Lane, Chidham
St Mary's is a simple country church which could only be in Sussex, according to Nicholas Pevsner. The nave and chancel were built in the 13th century, and the north aisle added in the 14th century. Graffiti and pilgrim's crosses can be seen in the Chapel of St Cuthman.
Open daily dawn to dusk.
More information: www.chidhamandhambrook.info/organisations/church/church.htm
St John the Evangelist, Southbourne
More information: www.southbournewiththorney.org/
St Nicholas, Thorney Island
Thorney Church dedicated to St Nicholas sits on the very edge of the island. It is generally said that the church was built in the 1100s by Bishop Warlewaste. Certainly when the church was built the water was not so near. Walkers and yachtsmen may access the Church. Access by car must be arranged with the Padre.
More information: www.southbournewiththorney.org/
St Thomas a Beckett, Warblington
St. Thomas à Becket is the ancient parish church of Warblington. In former times Warblington was an important place, as it had a mediaeval castle and a church dating back to Saxon times. Now, however, few people live at Warblington, while Emsworth, two miles away, has grown into a town.
Originally The Church was dedicated to St. Mary, but seems to have been changed to St. Thomas à Becket during the last century at the whim of the Rector! Parts of the church building are undoubtedly Saxon, but many changes and additions have been made through the centuries. In the churchyard there are two watchman's huts - put there to prevent grave-robbers during the 17th. and 18th. centuries.
More information: www.br2811.demon.co.uk/EmsCh/StTh.htm
St Peter's, Northney, Hayling Island
Located in St Peter's Road, Northney, this is one of three Church of England churches on Hayling Island that together form the group ministry known as 'Hayling Anglicans'.
More information: http://www.haylinganglicans.co.uk/stpeter/
