Nominal: 2271 Hz Diameter: 16.81" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1876
Dove Bell ID: 63576 Tower ID: 22064 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Merston: St Giles
Overview
Grid reference: SU 893 26
The church was built in the late 12th or early 13th century and originally dedicated to St Bartholomew. It is possible the north aisle was added some time after construction, but probably not as late as the 14th century as has been suggested. The west window would appear to date to the late 14th century or slightly later, and several other lancet windows were altered in the Late Medieval period. The gabled and coped bellcote to the recessed west gable provides some vertical emphasis, and in the flat countryside this simple and charming church can be seen from some distance. The break between chancel and nave can be seen on the south side, with a line of quoins, and the fabric is slightly different, indicating that the nave is older. The exterior is otherwise rendered and the small lancet windows betray the building's antiquity.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Chancel and 3-bay nave in one, north aisle, south porch and bellcote at west end of the nave.
Dimensions:
Nave and chancel 15m long, 8m wide.
Description of Archaeology and History
Evidence of settlement from the Palaeolithic through to the Roman period has been found near the church, the latter including a Roman lamp and some coins. Around the churchyard evidence for a possible Shrunken Medieval Village in the form of sherds and occupation debris has been found. Manor Farm just to the north-east of the church contains the Old Parsonage, a large Medieval house once used as the vicarage. The site has considerable archaeological potential.
Merston is mentioned in the Domesday Book, but not a church. Before 1086 it was held by 'Gort', thought to be Earl Gurth, Harold's brother. In 1086 it was held by Oismelin, who gave the tithes of his land to the Abbey of Troarn. The church was built in the late 12th or early 13th century and originally dedicated to St Bartholomew. It is possible the north aisle was added some time after construction, but probably not as late as the 14th century as has been suggested. The west window would appear to date to the late 14th century or slightly later, and several other lancet windows were altered in the Late Medieval period.
The north door and porch look 17th century, the porch has a tie-beam dated 1637, and the communion rails and altar table may be of this date or somewhat later. The church was lightly restored and refurnished in the early-mid 19th century. A watercolour in the church shows the church as now externally, except for a wooden bell turret and a fence around the unextended churchyard. There was a Victorian decorative scheme with painted Commandment Boards flanking the east window, shown in an old photograph in the church. The church is now in a united benefice with North Mundham and Hunston.
Exterior Description
The gabled and coped bellcote to the recessed west gable provides some vertical emphasis, and in the flat countryside this simple and charming church can be seen from some distance. The break between chancel and nave can be seen on the south side, with a line of quoins, and the fabric is slightly different, indicating that the nave is older. The exterior is otherwise rendered so that the fabric cannont be inspected, but the small lancet windows betray the building's antiquity.
There is one such lancet to the chancel north wall, and one to the east end of the aisle, replaced at some point. The north aisle wall is blind, there is a 4-centred doorway near the west end. The south wall has three single lancets, the chancel window with a cusped head. There is a noticeable building break between chancel and nave. The west bay has a small gabled porch with a small pointed opening over the 4-centred doorway arch, similar high in the side walls. 3-light Victorian stepped lancet to the chancel east wall, and a 3-light with panel tracery to the west end flanked by stepped buttresses.
Building Fabric and Features
Chancel
late 12th / early 13th century chancel and 3-bay nave in one
Nave
late 12th / early 13th century Chancel and 3-bay nave in one.
Aisle
13th century north aisle added some time after construction
Porch
17th century south porch
Bellcote
Unknown bellcote at the west end of the nave
Building Materials
Limestone
late 12th / early 13th century Coursed limestone rubble
Tile
late 12th / early 13th century tiled roof (probably restored)
Roughcast
Unknown Faced with roughcast except on the south side.
Interior
Interior Description
There is patching to the plastered porch ceiling. The inner south doorway is pointed and chamfered, stone flags continue into the nave. The interior is also simple, the walls thickly plastered and whitewashed. The north arcade of three bays has columns with plain moulded capitals and spurred square bases, pointed double-chamfered arches. Probably 17th/18th century roofs with tie-beams and king-posts disappearing into lath and plaster ceilings, exposed in the south-west corner.
There are plain mid-19th century benches and choirstalls with poppyheads, but also some earlier fittings. Small vestry at the west end of the north aisle with cupboards, tile floor. The floors mostly under carpet with the exception of the chancel, ledger slab in front of the communion rails in memory of Revd Edward Ellis (died 1805) and his wife Laurentia. Trefoil-headed piscina under the south chapel window, original but restored.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
late 17th / 18th century Altar table, oak with thick turned legs.
Reredos
19th century Curtain
Pulpit
19th century Softwood pulpit with blind paired lancet panels.
Lectern
19th century Wooden, plain
Font (component)
late 12th or early 13th century One of a series of arcaded Sussex marble fonts found in this region. A square bowl of Sussex marble (limewashed), carved with four arches on each side, but with the heads of the arches missing, as if the top of the bowl has been shaved off. The circular basin is lead lined. The bowl stands on a fat central column and eight plain colonettes, also of Sussex marble. Mouldings on the bottom of the bowl show that there were originally four angle colonnettes. There is now an octagonal base on a cylindrical plinth.
Stained Glass (window)
19th / 20th century East window of the Good Shepherd in memory of 'RFC' died 1874. Three lancets of the 1880s a scheme with the Holy Family with Joseph and child Jesus, Virgin Mary and child Jesus, and St Ann, given in memory of members of the Weston family. All by Heaton, Butler & Bayne. Arguably the best glass is in the north aisle east window, Parable of the Sower, 1993 by Meg Lawrence, given in memory of Leslie Langmead.
Organ (object)
19th century Small harmonium case
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers from 1578 - 1812 now held at the public record office.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 893 26
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
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