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Church of the Transfiguration
Pyecombe parish church.jpg
The church from the southeast
50°53′54″N 0°9′52″W / 50.89833°N 0.16444°W / 50.89833; -0.16444
Location Church Hill, Pyecombe, Hassocks, West Sussex BN45 7FE
Country England
Denomination Anglican
History
Status Parish church
Dedication Transfiguration of Jesus
Architecture
Functional status Active
Heritage designation Grade I
Designated 28 October 1957
Style Medieval
Administration
Parish Pyecombe, The Transfiguration
Deanery Hurst
Archdeaconry Chichester
Diocese Diocese of Chichester
Province Province of Canterbury

The Church of the Transfiguration is a historic Church of England parish church in the small village of Pyecombe, located in West Sussex, England. This beautiful church was mostly built in the 12th and 13th centuries. It stands in a quiet spot facing the South Downs hills. Because of its age and importance, it has been given a special Grade I listed status.

Church History in Pyecombe

The village of Pyecombe sits in a long, deep valley. This valley is called a "coombe." A small river, the Wellesbourne, flows through it. This river is a winterbourne, meaning it only flows above ground in wet seasons. The South Downs hills rise high on both sides of the valley.

The village of Pyecombe has two parts. The older part grew around the church and an ancient path. This path crossed the South Downs. Later, a new part of the village developed to the west. A 16th-century house there might have been part of the old manor house. A manor was a large estate ruled by a lord.

Early Church Records

The church was built on the west side of an old track. This track was central to three ancient routes across the South Downs. These routes split at the south end of the village. One route became the main road to London, now the A23. Another route is now the A273.

The church existed in 1086. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book. This was a huge survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror. At that time, the church was known as Pangdean Church. St Pancras Priory in Lewes owned the right to choose the priest. This right is called an advowson. In 1537, during the English Reformation, King Henry VIII took control of the church.

Building the Church

The oldest parts of the church are from the 12th century. These include the chancel, which is the area around the altar. The arch leading to the chancel is also from this time. The main part of the church, called the nave, was also built around 1170.

The Norman tower at the west end was added in the 13th century. It holds one bell from the 15th century. In 1898, the outside of the church was covered in a rough plaster. This plaster has now been removed from most areas. The church also had some repairs in 1844 and 1914.

Church Architecture

Church of the Transfiguration, Pyecombe 03
The east window

The Church of the Transfiguration is built to face east. This means the altar is at the east end. It has a 12th-century chancel and a simple, round chancel arch. The nave is from the same period. It has two rectangular windows on each side.

A short tower from the 13th century stands at the west end. It has two angled supports called buttresses. These supports help hold up the walls. One buttress has a 13th-century gravestone built into its stone. On the north side, there is an entrance porch and a vestry. A vestry is a room used by the clergy. The roofs of the church, porch, and tower are made of Horsham stone tiles.

Building Materials and Windows

Like many churches in Sussex, the main material used was flint. Flint is a hard stone. For about 100 years, this flint was hidden under plaster. Now, it can be seen again. The windows have modern stone frames around them. Some of the windows themselves are copies from the 19th century. However, the windows in the nave are much older, from the 15th century.

Inside the Church

Inside, the chancel arch has smaller modern arches on each side. The tiled floor in the sanctuary is from the 13th century. The sanctuary is the area around the altar. These special encaustic tiles were made at St Pancras Priory. They still show designs of animals and birds.

The carved pulpit is dated 1636. A pulpit is where the priest gives sermons. It was changed a bit in 1898. The lectern, where readings are given, has similar carvings. A very old part of the church is the font. It is from the 12th century. It is made from a single strip of lead bent into a drum shape. The outside of the font has fancy scrollwork designs.

The Tapsel Gate

Tapsel Gate, Pyecombe Church (Half Open)
The Tapsel gate

On the north side of the churchyard, there is a very rare type of gate. It is called a Tapsel gate. This design is unique to Sussex. It is named after the Tapsel family, who invented it. There are only six of these gates left in the county. All of them are found within 10 miles of Lewes. The Tapsel gate at Pyecombe was replaced in the early 20th century. The original gate was put there in the 18th century.

This gate includes the hooked end of a Pyecombe hook. A Pyecombe hook is a type of shepherd's staff. These staffs have been made in the village since the 18th century.

How Tapsel Gates Work

Tapsel gates turn on a central pivot. Even when fully open, they are too narrow for cattle to enter the churchyard. However, they are easier for pallbearers to use. Pallbearers carry a coffin. They can walk on each side of the gate. If needed, the coffin can even be rested on the central pivot.

The Church Today

Church of the Transfiguration, Pyecombe 02
The church from the northeast, showing the vestry and porch

The Church of the Transfiguration is part of a group of churches. This group is called the Benefice of Poynings with Edburton, Newtimber and Pyecombe. A benefice is a group of parishes that share a priest. This group covers five villages in the downland area. Each village has its own church.

The church was given its Grade I listed status on October 28, 1957. This means it is a very important historic building. The local council also made the area around the church a conservation area in January 1989. This helps protect its special character.

Two church services are held each month. The Pyecombe Parish Council also holds its meetings inside the church.

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