St Peter's Church, Henfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Peter's Church |
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The church from the south
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| 50°55′56″N 0°16′35″W / 50.9323°N 0.2764°W | |
| Location | Church Lane, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9NY |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 770 |
| Dedication | Saint Peter |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 15 March 1955 |
| Years built | Early 13th century |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Henfield |
| Deanery | Rural Deanery of Hurst |
| Archdeaconry | Horsham |
| Diocese | Chichester |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Peter's Church is a Church of England church located in the village of Henfield, West Sussex. It stands on the site of an older Saxon church from the 8th century, which was also dedicated to St Peter. The current church was built over many years, mostly in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries.
However, it was greatly repaired and partly rebuilt in the 19th century. Because of its important design and history, English Heritage has given it a special Grade II* listing. This means it's a very important historical building. St Peter's Church still holds services today for its local area. It also serves the nearby areas of St Giles', Shermanbury and St. Peter's, Woodmancote.
Contents
Church History
The area around Henfield is mostly made of clay. But in the middle of the village, there are small hills of gravel. St Peter's Church stands on one of these hills, a bit to the north-west of the older village buildings.
Early Beginnings (770 AD)
The very first St Peter's Church was likely built in the same spot around the year 770. It was founded by a Saxon noble named Waerbald and his wife Tidburg. Osmund, who was the king of Sussex at the time, gave them land to build the church. Some people think this early church might have been a "minster." A minster was a church that had a group of priests living and working there. But this idea is still debated by historians.
The land given by King Osmund later became known as Stretham Manor. This manor included the church itself and much of the southern and central parts of Henfield. By 1066, Stretham Manor belonged to the Bishop of Selsey. After 1075, when the bishop's main church moved to Chichester, the manor belonged to the Bishop of Chichester. The bishops even had a house on this estate, which was used as a courthouse in later times. Part of this old house still exists today as Stretham Manor farmhouse.
Building the Church (13th-15th Centuries)
The original Saxon church was still around in 1086, but no parts of it remain today. Around the early 1200s, a new church was built. It had a simple nave (the main part where people sit) and a chancel (the area around the altar). These parts were made from Caen stone, a type of limestone from France. You can still see the arch that separated the nave and chancel from this time. Two narrow, pointed windows, called lancet windows, also remain in what is now the vestry.
Later in the 1200s, two side sections, called aisles, were added to the north and south. In the 1300s, the church's porch was built. Also, arches were added to separate the nave from the aisles. The 1400s saw even more building work. The church tower was added, and the nave was made longer towards the west. A new chapel, called the Parham Chapel, was built north of the chancel. This chapel might have been built by Thomas Beckington, who was a church official in Henfield from 1438 to 1443.
In 1530, the church's dedication was recorded as being to both St Peter and St Paul. In 1627, some dormer windows (windows that stick out from a sloping roof) were added to the north aisle. A gallery (a raised seating area) was in place on the south side of the church by 1718.
The Bell Story
In 1607, St Peter's Church and one of its churchwardens (church officials) were involved in a court case. It was about a bell stolen from St Leonard's Church, Aldrington, which was a few miles away. Aldrington church was empty and falling apart, so arrangements were made to sell its bell.
The bell ended up at St Peter's, but it wasn't brought there with the permission of the Aldrington villagers. The churchwarden admitted helping to steal it. The officials at Henfield Church said they had received about 650 pounds (295 kg) of bell metal. This metal was used to make a new bell for St Peter's tower. They agreed to pay £16.5s. as compensation to Aldrington parish.
19th Century Restorations
The 1800s brought many big changes to the church building. The south aisle, which had been in bad shape since 1637, was replaced before 1833. This was paid for by William Borrer, a famous botanist who lived nearby. A gallery for schoolchildren was also added. In 1855, the tower was repaired.
Then, in 1870 and 1871, a huge restoration project took place. Architects William Slater and Richard Carpenter designed the changes. Most of the church's walls were covered with new flint stones. The chancel was made longer and taller. A new chapel was built on the south side of the chancel. Both aisles were completely rebuilt. The roof of the nave was opened up, and new lancet windows were put in higher up the walls.
St Peter's Church was officially named a Grade II* listed building on March 15, 1955. This means it is "particularly important" and "of more than special interest." In 2008, a new stone floor was laid, and heating was installed under the floor. The old 19th-century wooden benches were replaced with chairs.
Related Buildings
The church's "prebend" (a type of church property) was recorded in 1341 as having a house and garden with 60 acres of land. Around 1520, it became property of the diocese (the bishop's area). But a few years later, in 1533, it was leased out for 80 years to Thomas Bishop, a lawyer.
The lease then passed to his son, Sir Thomas Bishop, and later to his younger son, Henry Bishop. Henry Bishop became the Postmaster General of England. Parsonage House, which replaced the original prebend house, was built in the 1500s or earlier. It was given a new front in the 1700s and still stands today on Church Street.
A vicarage house (where the vicar lives) is mentioned in old documents from 1481, 1529, 1636, and 1724. The current vicarage was built around 1806 and made larger around 1850.
In 1812, a church school for boys opened in Henfield. Its modern-day version, St Peter's Church of England Primary School, is located in buildings built in 1957 and expanded in 1983.
Architecture and Features
St Peter's Church today has a nave (main area), north and south aisles (side sections), and transepts (sections that stick out like arms of a cross). It also has a chancel (altar area) with a chapel to the north and a vestry to the south. There is a porch at the entrance and a tower.
The nave dates back to the 13th century. The arch leading to the chancel is also from the 13th century, though it was rebuilt in the 1800s. The aisles and chancel were rebuilt during the big restoration in 1870–1871. The 15th-century Parham Chapel is special because of its east window. It's a beautiful example of the Gothic style from the time of King Henry VI. The tower has a simple, strong design.
Murals and Paintings
During the restoration work in 1870–1871, some murals (wall paintings) were found. The most interesting one was on the church's north wall. It showed a coat of arms and was surprisingly dated as late as 1694. Medieval murals are common in churches in Sussex, but this one was much newer. There used to be a painting of the Decalogue, Creed, and Lord's Prayer with angels. It dated from 1897 and hung in the Parham Chapel until the 1950s.
Church Fittings
The church has several notable fittings. There's an octagonal font (for baptisms), which might be from the early 13th century or the 15th century. A chest with iron bands from the 14th century is also present. In the Parham Chapel, there's a reredos (a screen behind the altar) carved by Frank Ernest Howard. It shows the patron saints of the four countries of the United Kingdom.
The screen in the arch between the Parham Chapel and the north aisle was made in 1969. However, it includes older parts from the 15th century. The church has eight bells from the 1700s. They are said to produce "one of the best rings in the county." The church's silver plate (items used for communion) is from a similar time. It includes a tray (1704), a flagon (1732), a chalice (1733), and two patens and an almsdish (1753). The modern kneelers (cushions for kneeling) are special. They show the animals and plants of Henfield parish in almost 300 different designs.
Memorials
There are two brasses (engraved metal plates) in the church. One, in the vestry, shows Ann Kenwellmersh (who died in 1633) with her hand on the head of her nine-year-old grandson, Menelab Rainsford (who died in 1627). The other, in the Parham Chapel, is for Thomas Bishop (who died in 1559). He was the first of his family to lease the church's rectory.
Also in the Parham Chapel is a monument to Thomas's grandson, Henry Bishop, the Postmaster General. Inside the church, near the entrance from the porch, are two memorial tablets. They list the names of the 60 men from the parish who died in the First World War and the 14 who died in the Second World War.
Stained Glass Windows
St Peter's Church is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows. Many of these were made by well-known designers from the late 1800s and early 1900s in England.
North Aisle and Transept
In the north aisle, the second window shows Fortitude (strength) and Charity (kindness). It was made around 1907. The first window, showing St Luke and St Paul, was designed by the Sussex artist Charles Eamer Kempe in 1903. The north transept's north window was made in 1928 by Kempe and Co. Its east window, showing the Madonna and Child and St Nicholas with children, was made by Frederick Charles Eden in 1935.
Parham Chapel
In the Parham Chapel, the north window is very interesting for local history. Its five sections show important figures like Lancelot Andrewes, St Richard of Chichester, St Peter (the church's saint), St Wilfrid (who brought Christianity to Sussex), and St Augustine of Canterbury. This window was made by Kempe and Co in 1920. The chapel's east window, with four sections, was made in 1921 by Geoffrey Fuller Webb. It shows the Captain of the Host of the Lord appearing to Joshua before Jericho (from the Bible), and St John the Divine writing about the Holy City.
Chancel and Vestry
Between the chapel and the chancel, there are glass windows engraved with scenes of farming. These were put in in 1969. The chancel's large east window, with five sections, was designed by Kempe in 1874 or 1875. It shows a Nativity scene (Jesus's birth), the Crucifixion, and several saints.
In the vestry, which is usually locked, there is a striking window of Mary Magdalene. It has a unique, almost Art Nouveau style. Below her, the text reads "She hath done what she could" (from the Bible). This window was made by Lowndes and Drury. Some say it was designed by Mary Lowndes, others by Isobel Lilian Gloag. Art historian Peter Cormack believes Gloag designed it and Lowndes painted it.
Other Windows
An office next to the vestry, also locked, has the oldest stained glass in the church. It shows Jesus preaching the Sermon on the Mount and was installed in 1872. Its style suggests it was made by Clayton and Bell. The south transept window, showing St Oswald, St George, and St Edmund, is by Kempe and Co, from 1916.
The first window in the south aisle, designed by Charles Eamer Kempe in 1898, shows the Annunciation (when the angel Gabriel told Mary she would have Jesus). The second window, designed by Mary Lowndes and made in 1891, is about the theme "Suffer the little children to come unto me" (from the Bible). Finally, the west window, which isn't open to the public, shows St Michael, St George, and St Raphael. It was made in 1896, also by Charles Eamer Kempe.
Today
Since 1978, St Peter's, Henfield, has been part of a group of churches that includes Shermanbury and Woodmancote. However, it is still its own separate parish. The church is served by a vicar, an assistant priest, and an assistant curate.
Holy Communion services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Sometimes these use the traditional Book of Common Prayer, and sometimes the more modern Common Worship. On the first Sunday of every month, there is a family-friendly service without Communion. There are also sometimes services earlier on Sunday mornings and on Sunday evenings. Holy Communion is also celebrated on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings. Services are regularly held in two local care homes. The church is open for visitors every day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in West Sussex
- List of places of worship in Horsham District
