St Cosmas and St Damian Church, Keymer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Cosmas and St Damian Church |
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St Cosmas and St Damian Church, February 2009.
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| 50°55′19″N 0°7′50″W / 50.92194°N 0.13056°W | |
| Location | Keymer Road, Keymer, West Sussex BN6 8RB |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Churchmanship | Liberal Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Edmund Scott |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1866 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Clayton with Keymer |
| Deanery | Hurst |
| Archdeaconry | Chichester |
| Diocese | Diocese of Chichester |
| Province | Province of Canterbury |
St Cosmas and St Damian Church is an Anglican church in the village of Keymer, West Sussex, England. It is a special church because it was rebuilt in 1866 to look like the old Saxon church that stood there before.
The church has a very unusual name, dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian, who were twin brothers and Christian martyrs in the 4th century. Today, it is a parish church serving three local villages and is a grade II listed building, which means it is officially recognized as a building of special historical importance.
Contents
History of the Church
Early History
A church has stood on this spot for a very long time. Back in 1086, a famous survey called the Domesday Book recorded that the land of Keymer was held by a nobleman. The first church here was connected to Lewes Priory, a nearby community of monks.
For hundreds of years, the church building didn't change much. Some parts of the church today, like the walls of the chancel (the area around the altar) and the curved apse at the end, are from the 12th century.
Rebuilding in 1866
In 1866, the church was rebuilt by an architect named Edmund Scott. Instead of designing a completely new building, he carefully copied the old 14th-century style. This helped the church keep its historic character.
Over the years, six bells were added to the church tower. The first was added in 1791, another during the rebuilding in 1866, and four more in 1911.
The Churchyard and Memorials
The church has a large graveyard with a war memorial to honor soldiers from the area. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission looks after the graves of five soldiers buried here from the First World War and the Second World War.
Because the original churchyard is full, a new burial ground was created in a field across the road. It is called the Hassocks Burial Ground and Garden of Remembrance and is managed by the local council. Researchers have found the stories of the men named on the war memorial, so their bravery is not forgotten.
A Very Rare Name
Who Were Saints Cosmas and Damian?
The church is named after Saints Cosmas and Damian, which is extremely rare in England. They are believed to have been twin brothers who lived in the Roman province of Syria. They were skilled doctors who treated people for free. Because of their Christian faith, they were killed in the year 303 during a time when Christians were being persecuted.
Only a few other churches in England are named after them, making this church in Keymer quite unique.
Architecture and Design
The church walls are made of flint, a type of stone, arranged in an interesting pattern that looks a bit like crazy paving. At the corner of the church is a small tower with a steeple.
Inside, the church has a main central area called a nave, with aisles on either side for people to sit. The south aisle was built in 1866, and the north aisle was added later in 1890. During the rebuilding, the old stone decorations in the east window were carefully saved and put back.
The Church Today
St Cosmas and St Damian Church is part of a larger parish that also includes two other churches: St John the Baptist's Church in Clayton and St Francis of Assisi's Church in Hassocks. Together, they serve the three villages and the countryside around them.
The church is open every day for visitors to look around or sit quietly. Services are held on most Sundays, as well as on Wednesdays and some Saturdays.
Because of its historical importance and beautiful setting, the area around the church was made a Conservation Area in 1989. This helps protect the village's unique character for the future.
Gallery
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The War Memorial stands just south of the church.
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A view of the church from its main entrance.
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