St Mary, Felpham, Sussex

I Location

Site Location
Felpham
National Grid Reference
SZ 949 998
County
traditional: Sussex
now: West Sussex
Diocese
medieval: Chichester
now: Chichester
Dedication
medieval: not confirmed
now (or name of monument): St Mary
Type of building/monument
Parish church

II General Description

The church comprises a nave with late 12thc. N aisle and mid-13thc. S aisle, a 14thc. chancel and a 15thc. W tower. There is an arcaded Sussex marble font.

IV Interior Features

2. Arcades

c. Nave

(i) N arcade
N arcade, capital (1)

N arcade, capital (1)

N arcade, capital (2)

N arcade, capital (2)

Three bays, plain round-headed arches of two orders supported by circular piers with block capitals marking transition to square, chamfered impost blocks.

Capital N1, composed of five blocks, is carved with almond-shaped leaves on the SE, NE and NW angles, and a spade-shaped leaf on the SW.

Capital N2, also composed of five blocks, has narrow angle projections on the SE, SW and NW angles.

Dimensions
Capital N1:
h. 0.185 m - 0.215 m
w. (E face) 0.66 m - 0.69 m
Capital N2:
h. 0.185 m - 0.215 m
w. 0.66 m - 0.68 m

V Furnishings

1. Fonts

(i)

Font, general view of bowl

Font, general view of bowl

Located at E end S aisle. Square, Sussex marble bowl, each side carved with six shallow arches with sunk spandrels. Circular interior. It is supported by a thick central shaft and four slender angle shafts without capitals, all modern. Good condition; slightly damaged corners.

Dimensions
h. of bowl 0.29 m
w. of bowl (top) 0.74 m
w. of bowl (bottom) 0.69 m - 0.71 m
int. dia. of bowl 0.59 m

VII History

The Domesday Book records that Felpham was held by St Edward's Abbey, Shaftesbury, before and after 1066. The church is mentioned.

VIII Comments/Opinions

The arcade seems to be of late 12thc. date, and may be contemporary with the font.

IX Bibliography

  • J. Morris and J. Mothersill (ed.), Domesday Book: Sussex. Chichester 1976, 8a.1
  • I. Nairn and N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England: Sussex. Harmondsworth 1965, 219.
  • A. H. Peat and L. C. Halsted, Churches and Other Antiquities of West Sussex. Chichester 1912, 76-79.
  • A. K. Walker, An Introduction to the Study of English Fonts with Details of those in Sussex. London 1908, ill. 65.