COUNTRY CHURCHES

63 St James, Birdham

This fourteenth century church lies just off the A286 road half way between Chichester and West Wittering. On entering the ancient churchyard one immediately notices a strange twisted tree not far from the South Porch. It is a Macrocarpa at least 200 years old. The church itself with its solid tower, rebuilt 1545, mostly dates from the 14th century, though a church was recorded here in 1105. As you enter the south door notice a number of crosses scratched on the lintel carved there by medieval pilgrims en route to the shrine of St Richard of Chichester.

Immediately opposite the entrance is a small door in the north wall supposedly built to allow the Devil to escape following a baptism. Three great tie beams divide the roof of the nave into four bays, whilst the 14th century chancel arch leads into the 19th century restored chancel.

Strangely the two most interesting features of the church date from very recent times. Quite outstanding is the marvellous east window. The glass was designed by Michael Farrar-Bell and given as a gift by David Graham-Wood in 1978. He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass. Based on Mark 1 19-20 it shows the calling of James and John on Lake Galilee. Zebedee stands in his boat watching his two sons and John mending their nets whilst James is appealing to Jesus. Above are depicted three local scenes. The left window shows farm scenes of ploughed fields and cornfields and tractors, the right hand window shows Birdham Pool and Yacht Basin whilst Chichester Cathedral is shown in the centre. At the top of the window in the trefoil cavities seven birds are beautifully painted - the Canada Goose, the Heron, the Tern, the Shell Duck, the Mallard, the Lapwing and the Whimbrel. The centre trefoil shows the shell emblem of James the fisherman. This window repays careful study. A better example of modern glass would be hard to find.

The Embroidered Banner

The other feature worthy of note is a large embroidered banner on the south wall of the nave. Designed by Yvonne Hudson it was completed in 1984. The central roundel depicts the Holy Spirit and the five outer roundels five local saints. St Cutham b 681 is shown arriving at Steyning pushing his paralysed mother in a barrow. St Wilfrid is shown preaching to the Saxons, St Dunstan is shown tweaking the devil's nose with a pair of tongs, St Thomas a Becket is shown visiting Pagham (where he owned land), and finally St Richard is shown tending fig trees. It all makes an unusual and colourful way of illustrating church history.

JOHN SYMONDS