2015

TQ1605 : Sompting - Church of St Mary

taken 9 years ago, near to Sompting, West Sussex, England

Sompting - Church of St Mary
Sompting - Church of St Mary
It is quite difficult to find a spot to take a photograph of the whole church without it being blocked by trees or gravestones. This photo from a corner of the churchyard afforded about the best overall view I could manage.
The highly unusual Saxon tower which features a Rhenish helm is apparently unique in Britain - see TQ1605 : Sompting - St Mary's - Rhenish Helm for a closer view of this.
See also the shared description below:
Sompting - Church of St Mary

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 LinkExternal link
A much more informative write-up on the church can be found at the Sussex Parish Churches website here LinkExternal 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.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Rob Farrow and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Historic sites and artefacts Village, Rural settlement Religious sites Place: Sompting Period: Saxon Primary Subject: Church
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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TQ1605, 245 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Rob Farrow   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Sunday, 30 August, 2015   (more nearby)
Submitted
Saturday, 26 September, 2015
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TQ 1613 0563 [10m precision]
WGS84: 50:50.3134N 0:21.1259W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TQ 1609 0562
View Direction
East-northeast (about 67 degrees)
Clickable map
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Image classification(about): Geograph
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