St Nicolas Church, Pevensey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicolas' Church |
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The church from the west-northwest in 2023
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| 50°49′11″N 0°20′12″E / 50.8196°N 0.3368°E | |
| Location | Church Lane, Pevensey, East Sussex BN24 5LD |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Traditional Anglo-Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 12th/13th century |
| Dedication | Saint Nicholas |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 30 August 1966 |
| Style | Early English Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Pevensey |
| Deanery | Eastbourne |
| Archdeaconry | Hastings |
| Diocese | Chichester |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Nicolas' Church is an old and beautiful church in the village of Pevensey, East Sussex, England. It is a Church of England parish church, which means it serves the local community. This church is so important that it is a Grade I Listed building, marking it as a very special historic place.
Contents
What is the History of St Nicolas' Church?
St Nicolas' Church is named after Saint Nicholas, who is known as the patron saint of sailors. This is fitting because Pevensey used to be a major seaport. The church we see today was built a long time ago, between 1205 and 1216. It stands on the site of an even older church from the fifth century. Back then, the sea was much closer to the church than it is today!
What is Early English Gothic Architecture?
St Nicolas' Church is a great example of 'Early English Gothic' architecture. This style came from France in the mid-12th century and quickly spread to England. It is known for being simpler than other Gothic styles. You can spot it by its plain vaults, simple window designs, and less fancy decorations.
The large size of St Nicolas' Church shows how important Pevensey was as a port when the church was built. It might have even been planned to be bigger, but those plans were never finished.
What Architectural Features Can You See?
St Nicolas' Church has many original features that are still amazing today.
Windows and Chancel
Look for the beautiful medieval windows. Above the main altar, there are three 'Lancet windows'. These are tall, narrow windows with pointed tops, typical of the early 1200s. In the south aisle, you'll find two similar windows. Stained glass was added to these windows in the late 1800s.
The Chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is, is built at a slight angle from the Nave (the main part where people sit). This small angle is often seen in old churches. Some say it represents the angle of Christ's head on the cross. It also makes the building look longer! The stone arches in the Chancel have special pointed tops with carved leaves, which is a key feature of the Early English style.
The Chancel roof was built around 1205. It has a high, simple 'cradle roof' made from hand-cut Sussex oak. It's thought that local shipbuilders might have made it, as it looks like a ship's hull turned upside down. Most of this roof is still original!
The Nave was built around 1210. A striking feature here are the double-arched openings. There are three on the north side and five on the south side. These arches are supported by columns that switch between being clustered (like a group of smaller columns) and octagonal (eight-sided). You'll also notice small niches in the pillars of the Nave. These used to hold small statues, but they were likely removed during the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s.
The Nave also has an oak 'waggon roof'. This type of roof looks like the inside of a covered wagon. While parts of it were replaced in the 1800s, the main beams are probably original. Before the 1800s restoration, the Nave had a false ceiling, which caused the original roof timbers to rot because of poor air flow.
Other Interesting Features
The church has a 'Norman font' made from stone from Caen, a town in Normandy, France. This is where William the Conqueror came from! The font has a detailed wooden cover from the late 1800s. You can also see a 'Muniment Chest' from 1664, which was used to store important documents. There's also a copy of an 'Offertory Box' with a long handle. The original was used to collect money from people sitting in old-fashioned box pews.
On the floor in the South Aisle, there's an old, heavy stone grave cover from the 1200s. It has the outline of a cross. It was found during the 1800s restoration and probably covered the grave of an early church leader.
The church porch on the north side protects the main door. On the stone around the door, you can see three etched 'Votive' or 'Crusaders' Crosses. These were likely carved in the 1200s by pilgrims or crusaders. Many people would have left Pevensey for journeys to Europe or faraway lands and marked their safe return this way.
Who are the Memorials For?
In the north aisle, there is a memorial for John Wheatley (who died in 1616). He was a wealthy local person who gave a lot of money to help prepare a ship from Pevensey to fight the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Near 'The Boniface Window', you'll find war memorials for those who died in the two World Wars. The Boniface family was a well-known local family with French roots. The window itself was designed by Christopher Webb, a famous church window artist. His father, Sir Aston Webb, designed famous buildings like Admiralty Arch and the front of Buckingham Palace in London!
How Was the Church Restored?
The first records of repairs to the church date back to 1587. At that time, the church was described as "very mutche in decaye" (very much in decay) because it needed timber, glass, and other repairs.
During the Georgian period (1714-1830), the church was changed quite a bit. The beautiful wooden ceiling was covered with plaster. The Sanctuary and Chancel were separated from the Nave by a brick wall. These parts of the church were even used for storage, holding crops, smuggled goods, and even as a stable for cattle and sheep that grazed in the churchyard!
From the late 1800s, many restoration projects took place. A very important architect named George Gilbert Scott, Jr. led much of this work starting in 1875. His father, George Gilbert Scott, was also a famous architect known for designing and restoring churches. Scott Jr. oversaw big changes at St Nicolas', including building the vestry and raising the Chancel floor with steps towards the High Altar.
In 1876, the Sanctuary, Chancel, and Nave were all opened up again to form the church we see today. An inscription in the porch says that a society gave money in 1876 to help restore the church and provide seating for everyone.
The original church tower had been taken down to its first level around 1800. Later, two new levels and a new spire were added as part of the late 19th-century restoration. This new tower was built to look like the original. The vestry was added in 1887 during these big restoration efforts.
In 1908, a clock was installed in the tower by Smiths of Derby, who still maintain it today. Six church bells were also rehung at this time. Three of these bells are very old, dating back to 1633 and 1676. Bell ringers still ring them every week! You can reach the bell chamber by climbing a cast-iron spiral staircase.
What is the Church Used For Today?
St Nicolas' Church was officially recognized as a Grade I Listed building on August 30, 1966.
Records of births, marriages, and deaths from the parish go all the way back to 1569! The original old records are kept safe in the East Sussex County Archives. In 1995, a full survey was done of all the gravestones and memorials in the church and its graveyard.
Because of its design, the church has amazing acoustics (how sound travels). In recent years, professional musicians from London, including those from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the BBC Concert Orchestra, have performed concerts here. They love the clear sound in the church!
St Nicolas' Church is the oldest building in Pevensey that is still used for its original purpose. It is used all year for Christian worship, following traditional services. Because of its beautiful location, long history, and grand appearance, St Nicolas' is a popular place for weddings, baptisms, and funerals.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in East Sussex
- List of current places of worship in Wealden
- St. George's Episcopal Memorial Church, a church in the US with a stained glass window containing shards of glass collected from this church when it was damaged in World War II.
