Coombes Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coombes Church |
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The church from the east
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| 50°51′39″N 0°18′35″W / 50.8607°N 0.3097°W | |
| Location | Coombes Road, Coombes, West Sussex BN15 0RS |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Traditional Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 11th century |
| Dedication | None |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 12 October 1954 |
| Style | Saxon; Early Norman |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Coombes |
| Deanery | Rural Deanery of Worthing |
| Archdeaconry | Chichester |
| Diocese | Chichester |
| Province | Canterbury |
Coombes Church is an old Church of England parish church located in the quiet village of Coombes, West Sussex, England. It has been a place of worship since the 11th century. This church is found northwest of Shoreham-by-Sea, right by the River Adur.
Even though the church has been rebuilt many times, some parts of the original building are still there. In 1949, amazing wall paintings were found inside. These paintings date from the 12th to the 18th century. Because of its important history and architecture, English Heritage has given the church a special Grade I listing. This means it's considered very important nationally.
Contents
A Look Back: Coombes Church History
The area of Coombes was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. Back then, it was called Cumbe. The Domesday Book recorded two small settlements here, Coombes and Applesham. Coombes was the larger one.
These settlements were built high up on the South Downs, away from the River Adur's flood areas. They might have started as Saxon-era farms. The Domesday Book counted 31 people in Coombes and 16 in Applesham.
Building the Church: From Saxon Times
Coombes parish church was also mentioned in the Domesday Book. Its original name has been lost, but some think it was dedicated to John the Baptist. When it was first built, it was a simple flint building. It had three main parts: the chancel (the area around the altar), the nave (where people sit), and a tower at the west end.
The church was built into the hillside, so the bottom of the west window was almost at ground level. Over hundreds of years, new parts were added and changes were made.
Changes Through the Centuries
Most of the nave and the arch leading to the chancel are from the Saxon period. But the chancel itself was rebuilt in the early 13th century. A special doorway for the priest was added then.
In the 14th century, the windows in the nave were changed. However, one window from the 12th century is still in great shape. Later, in the 15th century, two new windows were added to the chancel. A porch was built on the south side of the nave in the 16th century. This porch kept the original entrance doorway.
A Church Rebuilt After Collapse
In the early 1700s, the church almost completely fell down. The tower at the west end collapsed, bringing down much of the nave and chancel. The local people were allowed to rebuild the nave, making it a bit shorter. The chancel was rebuilt soon after.
Around the same time, a bell-turret (a small tower for bells) was added to the west end. Unlike many churches in Sussex, Coombes Church was not changed much during the Victorian era.
Amazing Wall Paintings
Coombes Church is most famous for its many wall paintings. Most of these designs are from the 12th century, with the oldest painted around 1135. Some are more recent. They were found in 1949 and carefully kept, with only a little bit of restoration.
The paintings show different Bible stories and figures. For example, you can see The Visitation, the Nativity of Jesus, and Christ in Majesty. There's also a painting of Christ giving the Keys of Heaven to Saint Peter and the Book to Saint Paul.
On the arch leading to the chancel, there's a funny drawing. It shows a man with a wide-open mouth, struggling to hold up the arch.
Who Painted Them?
One idea is that these early paintings were part of a series. Monks from Lewes Priory, England's first Cluniac monastery, might have painted them. Similar paintings can be seen in other churches nearby, like those in Clayton, Hardham, and Plumpton.
Church Design and Features
Coombes parish church has a simple design with two main parts. There's the chancel at the east end and the nave to the west. These two parts are connected by a thick arch. A porch with the main entrance faces south.
Instead of a large tower, there's a small bell-turret on the roof at the west end. The walls are made of flint stones, with some smoother ashlar stones mixed in. The roof is covered with Horsham Stone slates, which are common on old buildings in Sussex.
Windows and Gates
Only one Norman window is still in its original state. However, several other windows are blocked up. The windows on the south side of the chancel are in the Perpendicular Gothic style. The east window (from the 16th century) and the west window (from 1724) are simpler.
The churchyard has a very rare tapsel gate. This is a special gate unique to Sussex that pivots in the middle. An old crucifix was found in the churchyard in 1877 and moved inside the church. The age of the brick and stone font is not known for sure. Some think it's from the 19th century, while others believe it's much older.
Coombes Church Today
Coombes Church was given a Grade I listing by English Heritage on October 12, 1954. This means it is considered to be of "exceptional interest" and very important to the nation. In 2001, it was one of seven Grade I listed buildings in the Adur District.
The church holds a Holy Eucharist service on the second Sunday of each month at 9:00 a.m. The worship follows a traditional Church of England style.
The church's area, called the ecclesiastical parish, is mostly countryside. It covers about 1,280 acres (518 hectares). Its borders are the River Adur to the east and old field lines to the south, west, and north.
See also
