TQ1605 : Sompting - Church of St Mary
taken 9 years ago, near to Sompting, West Sussex, England
The church of St Mary in Sompting is one of the more remarkable churches in Britain. It dates originally from Saxon times, and has a fine Saxon tower described by English Heritage as "Tower entirely early Cllth and the only English example of a Saxon tower with a four-sided shingled roof or 'Rhenish helm'"
The rest of the church is entirely C12th - with a mixture of C15th and C16th windows.
Both the Knights Templar and Hospitaller were also involved in the creation of this church. The former added the West Chapel, as a separate chapel from the church - in 1154. About three hundred years later the Knights Hospitaller connected it to the main church. However, on the dissolution (in England) of this latter order in 1538, this part of the church fell into disrepair and is now a ruin. The rest of the church is happily in fine fettle however.
The church contains some important Saxon carvings and sculptures.
Not surprisingly this ancient church is EH Grade I listed see Link
A much more informative write-up on the church can be found at the Sussex Parish Churches website here Link
Note that this reference suggests that at least part of the Saxon tower may have been built or rebuilt somewhat later than the Saxon period.