St James the Less Church, Lancing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James the Less Church |
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The church from the south
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| 50°50′16″N 0°19′21″W / 50.8379°N 0.3226°W | |
| Location | Manor Road, North Lancing, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0EY |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | https://saintjamesthelesslancing.co.uk/ |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 12th century |
| Dedication | James the Less |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 12 October 1954 |
| Style | Early English/Decorated Gothic (Transitional) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Lancing, St James the Less |
| Deanery | Rural Deanery of Worthing |
| Archdeaconry | Chichester |
| Diocese | Chichester |
| Province | Canterbury |
St James the Less Church is a very old church in Lancing, a town in West Sussex, England. It is part of the Church of England. The church was first built in the 1100s. It stands in North Lancing, which was one of the first settlements in the area.
Most of the church you see today was built in the 1200s. Over the years, it has been repaired and changed many times. Big repairs happened in the 1700s and 1800s. These repairs saved the church when it was in bad condition. The church is now a "Grade I listed building." This means it is very important for its history and design.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
The name Lancing comes from the Anglo-Saxons, who lived here long ago. People have found signs of Saxon homes from the 500s nearby. In 1086, a big survey called the Domesday Book mentioned Lancing. At that time, the land was mostly used for farming.
Over time, the large area of Lancing was split into smaller parts. North Lancing and South Lancing became the most important. Three small communities grew: North Lancing near the hills, South Lancing near the sea, and Pende, which was once a port but has now disappeared.
Building the First Church
There was no church in Lancing until the 1100s. The first church was built in North Lancing around 1120. We know this from looking at the old stone walls. Around 1180, a special arched doorway was added. This doorway is now part of the porch on the south side of the church.
The whole church was rebuilt between 1280 and 1300. This gave the church its current shape and style. Even though it took a long time, the church looks very complete and beautiful. In the 1400s, a staircase was added to reach the tower.
Times of Trouble and Repair
In the 1600s, many churches in England fell apart. This happened to St James the Less Church too. In 1618, the top part of the tower fell down. By 1621, it was fixed, but made shorter. A special "Sussex cap" roof was added to the tower.
However, the rest of the church continued to decay. Birds made nests inside, and the font (where baptisms happen) was empty. By 1662, the church could not be used anymore.
Things got better in the late 1700s when some repairs were done. More big changes happened in 1827. Extra seats were added, and some windows were changed. The newest part of the church is a small room called a vestry, which was added in 1934.
The Church's Design and Features
The church is built mostly from flint stones. You can still see some areas covered in a rough plaster called pebbledashing. The church shows a mix of two old English building styles: the Early English Gothic style and the Decorated Gothic style. This mix makes it very special.
What the Church Looks Like
From the front to the back, the church has a main area called the nave with aisles on both sides. It also has a short tower and a smaller area at the back called the chancel. There is a porch with an entrance on the south side. Another door is at the west end. A small room called a vestry is at the northeast corner.
The tower used to be much taller before it fell in 1618. When it was rebuilt, it was made shorter. A special pyramid-shaped roof, called a Sussex cap, was added. This type of roof is common in Sussex. The year of the repair is carved into the north wall.
The church's original entrance is in the south porch. It has a round arch with special carvings. These carvings are from the Norman period (around the 1100s). Inside this doorway, there is an old stone basin for holy water.
Most of the windows are in the Decorated Gothic style. Some newer windows are in the Perpendicular Gothic style. Three windows have beautiful Stained glass from 1866.
Inside the Church
Inside, you can still see parts of the very first Norman church. These are in the west wall of the nave and the east end of the chancel. The main parts of the church were rebuilt when English Gothic architecture was at its best. The arches, pillars, and carvings inside are great examples of this style. The wooden roof of the nave is also very well-made.
Some old things you can find inside include:
- A 1300s Easter sepulchre (a special place used during Easter).
- Parts of a sedilia (seats for priests).
- Some Norman carvings called friezework.
- A square font from the 1100s, which is still in good condition.
The Church Today
St James the Less Church was made a "Grade I listed building" on October 12, 1954. This means it is one of the most important historic buildings in England. As of 2001, it was one of only seven Grade I listed buildings in the Adur district.
The church holds services every Wednesday and Sunday. These include Eucharistic services. There are also evening prayer services every day. On the third Sunday of each month, there is a Family Eucharist service.
The church's area, called its parish, covers about 2,236 acres. Its eastern edge is the River Adur. The railway line forms the southern edge. To the west, it borders the old parish of Sompting. The northern edge follows old field lines on the South Downs.
See also
