Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 60184 Tower ID: 23584 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Southwick: St Peter
Diocese of Chichester
Closed Church, 610105
Modern
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 251 51
A small but interesting and dignified 1930’s church of brick, located amongst contemporary housing estates one block away from the Fishergate docks. The church was designed in a neo-Romanesque style by L Keir Hett, who made imaginative use of a wide range of materials to enhance what is otherwise a relatively plain design.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Easy access.
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Five-bay aisled nave and chancel under one roof, projecting narthex, chancel, vestry/organ chamber on north side under north-east tower.
Dimensions:
Nave estimated to be c 19m (63ft) x 7m (22ft), chancel 9 m (30ft) long.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1938, the architect was L Keir Hett, a local man whose descendants still live in Sussex. He also built South Patcham Christ the King and Moulsecoomb St Andrew, with which this church shares many similar features.
Exterior Description
The church is designed in a neo-Romanesque style. Evidently the budget was not high, but the architect has made imaginative use of a wide range of materials to enhance what is otherwise a relatively plain design. The main view of St Peter’s is from the (magnetic) north and because of this the architect has placed the most striking feature of his design, a substantial ‘Sussex tower’, on this side of the building. The tower has a low-pitched pyramidal roof and is carefully detailed throughout with horizontal louvres to the belfry just under the eaves, tall round-arched windows to the middle stage, and buttresses capped with Roman brick at the two outer corners. In many of these respects it is similar to Keir's church at South Patcham, but is handled differently in the detail.
The west entrance has cut brick mouldings and a carved stone keystone. The clearstorey windows are round-headed lancets, with rectangular windows in the aisles and a small 3-light set high up in the east wall. There is attractive decorative leading of the windows and Roman brick in the heads of the round-arched windows and tile sills.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 5-bay, aisled
Chancel
20th century
Narthex (classical)
20th century projecting
Vestry
20th century /organ chamber
Tower (component)
20th century north-east
Building Materials
Brick
20th century
Timber
20th century roof structure
Tile
20th century roofing
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, the interior of St Peter’s has a satisfying unity. The roof of both nave and chancel extends, without change in form or height, from one end of the building to the other. The rhythm of the bays is emphasised by the attached pilasters that spring from a point just below the arcade and run up to support the trusses and beams that carry the roof. The arcade, with its low segmental arches separating the wall passages from the nave, carries on round the west end of the building and thereby also defines the space of the narthex.
The organ loft, west gallery, pulpit, lectern and stone font were all designed by the architect and are in close keeping with the style of the building. The doors throughout the building have inset panels of linenfold mouldings and there is a plain but elegant set of choir stalls. There is a Lady chapel at the east end of the south aisle, east wall painted blue. The chairs are from Southwick St Michael, and have panels recording their donors. The floors are parquet.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Oak table. Lady chapel, hardboard.
Pulpit
20th century The pulpit is of oak, hexagonal, plain panels on a stone pedestal.
Lectern
20th century Wooden.
Font (component)
20th century Stone, plain.
Plaque (component)
20th century Brass.
Organ (component)
20th century Small organ by Positive Organ Co, rebuilt by Morgan & Smith 1972.
Rail
20th century Wood, open, plain.
Panel
20th century Memorial wooden board in memory of the fallen in World War I and World War II.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 251 51
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
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.