St Mary, Slindon, Sussex

I Location

Site Location
Slindon
National Grid Reference
SU 960 083
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 has a W tower, an aisled nave with opposing N and S porches, a High Victorian chancel arch, and large square chancel with neo-Norman organ recess on N side. One Norman window survives, above the N arcade.

IV Interior Features

2. Arcades

c. Nave

S arcade,E respond.

S arcade,E respond.

S arcade, pier 1, E side.

S arcade, pier 1, E side.

S arcade, pier 1, W side.

S arcade, pier 1, W side.

S arcade, pier 2, E side.

S arcade, pier 2, E side.

S arcade, general view.

S arcade, general view.

N arcade, E bay, W respond.

N arcade, E bay, W respond.

N arcade, E bay, E respond.

N arcade, E bay, E respond.

(i) S arcade

The S aisle is separated from the nave by three pointed arches, each of two orders with no labels. The chamfered mouldings of the W arch die into the jambs (cf: W and central bays of N arcade). The inner orders of the other two arches are chamfered to N and S, and descend onto small multi-scallop capitals, with high cones and small shields. The shields of the E respond capital of the E arch and W respond capital of the central arch have incised cusping on the shields, but part of the former has been replaced. These capitals are carried by semi-circular shafts of a soft chalky stone which is easily damaged, and that of the E respond capital of the E arch has been cut back. The outer orders to N and S are also chamfered, and descend onto impost bands with simple profiles.

(ii) N arcade

The central and W arches of the N arcade have dying arches. The inner order of the E arch is composed of three clustered roll mouldings, which descend onto semi-circular imposts and reeded consoles.

V Furnishings

1. Fonts

(i)

Font.

Font.

(Location: to E of S doorway.) A shallow square bowl with a bold chamfer shaped to form moulded capitals on the corners and supported by five shafts. The central shaft is evidently renewed. The plinth is shaped like the bowl, with moulded bases to receive the four angle shafts. It stands directly on the floor. The basin is lead lined.

Dimensions
h. 1.00 m
h. of bowl only 0.30 m
w. of faces of bowl 0.585 m
diam. (int) 0.495 m

VII History

A church is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Henry I granted the manor to the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1106. The church was restored in 1866 (T G Jackson).

VIII Comments/Opinions

The two easternmost bays of the S arcade date from the late 12thc.; the W arch of the N arcade is slightly later,c.1200 (reeded consoles recur at Clymping, South Bersted and Oving). All other nave arches are 14thc. The font is clearly Early English in style, c.1200 (see note on this type of font under Heyshott).

IX Bibliography

  • M. F. Drummond-Roberts, Some Sussex Fonts Photographed and Described. Brighton 1935, 80.
  • T.G. Jackson, 'Some Account of Slindon Church' Sussex Archaeological Collections, 19, 1867, 126-33.
  • J. Morris and J. Mothersill (ed.), Domesday Book: Sussex. Chichester 1976, 11.88
  • I. Nairn and N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England: Sussex. Harmondsworth 1965, 326-27.
  • A. H. Peat and L. C. Halsted, Churches and Other Antiquities of West Sussex. Chichester 1912, 141-43.
  • Victoria County History: Sussex. 4 (Chichester Rape) 1953, 235-37, with plan.
  • A. K. Walker, An Introduction to the Study of English fonts with details of those in Sussex. London 1908, 104-05.