St Nicholas Church, Worth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parish Church of St. Nicholas |
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| Location | Worth, West Sussex |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Worth, Pound Hill and Maidenbower |
| Archdeaconry | Horsham |
| Diocese | Chichester |
St Nicholas Church is a Church of England parish church located in Worth, a village in Crawley, England. This church once served the largest area of any parish in England.
Contents
A Look Back at St Nicholas Church's History
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St Nicholas Church is one of the oldest churches in England. People have worshipped here for over 1000 years. It was built during the Anglo-Saxon period. Parts of the church, like the chancel arch and apse, date back to between AD 950 and 1050.
When it was built, the church was in the middle of a forest. We don't know exactly why it was built there. Some people think the area was good for hunting. Royal or noble visitors might have needed a comfortable place to pray. Because it was a large church in an isolated forest, it was probably not just for local people.
After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, William the Conqueror gave the church to his son-in-law, William de Warenne. You can still see his family's coat of arms in the church's stained glass windows. In the 1300s, the church passed to the Fitzalan family. Then, in 1415, it went to the Nevills, Earl of Abergavenny.
The Tradition of Bell-Ringing
People have been ringing bells at St Nicholas Church since 1684. Bell-ringing is still an important part of the church's weekly activities today.
The church's current tower was added in 1871 by Anthony Salvin. It has a special pointed roof called a broached and shingled spire. This new tower replaced an older one that rested on tree trunks.
In 1684, the church had three bells, and a fourth was added later. In 1844, all the bells were melted down and recast to make a set of six. They were recast again in 1928 by Gillett and Johnston of Croydon.
Since 1928, the bells only needed regular care until 1997. That year, major work was done on them. Parts like pulleys, wheels, and clappers were removed. They were sent to a special workshop for repair. Then, they were put back, and the bells were rehung.
The bells still hang in the original oak frame from 1844. This frame is about 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the bell ringers' heads. It was made stronger in 1997. The largest bell, called the tenor, is 91 centimeters (3 feet) wide. It weighs 489 kilograms (about 1080 pounds). Its musical note is A. All the bells together weigh over 36 hundredweight (about 1800 kilograms).
Restoring the Church After a Fire
In 1986, workers were treating the church's roof timbers to protect them from pests. A fire accidentally started during this work. Firefighters quickly put out the blaze, saving most of the building. However, the roof timbers were badly damaged.
The damage made the building unsafe. A lot of scaffolding was put up, and the pews and flooring had to be removed. The roof was redesigned, and the walls were made stronger. New floors and pews were installed. The new pews are easier to move than the old ones. This gives the church more flexibility for different events. The old pews could not be put back into the church.
The restoration work cost about £510,000. It was finished by 1988. During this big renovation, archaeologists were able to confirm the exact age of the church's original construction.
St Nicholas Church Today
Worth Church is still an active parish church today. Many believe it is the oldest church in England that has been used continuously. It usually holds at least two services every Sunday, typically at 8 AM and 10 AM. There is also a midweek service called Eucharist on Thursdays at 10:30 AM. The church has a group of bell ringers and a church choir.
The churchyard is where many people are buried. It includes the grave of Robert Whitehead. He was the inventor of the modern torpedo. His grave is marked by blue railings. His gravestone says, "His fame was known by all nations hereabouts."
The churchyard also contains graves of soldiers and officers who died in wars. There are four British Army soldiers and one Royal Navy officer from World War I. There is also a British Army officer and an Indian Army officer from World War II. These graves are cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
More to Explore
- Grade I listed buildings in West Sussex
- List of places of worship in Crawley
- Listed buildings in Crawley
- List of church restorations and alterations by Anthony Salvin
