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88. St Mary the Virgin, Shipley
This church just south of the A272 east of Billingshurst, with its massive Norman tower, was built by the Knights Templars in the 12th century. A restoration took place in 1830 when the spire was removed and in 1893 the present north aisle was added. Though Shipley is a small village the parish, covering 8,000 acres, is the second largest in Sussex. The interior is very gloomy partly as a result of the many Victorian stained glass windows mostly in memory of the Burrell family. Six of the windows were designed by C.E.Kempe. Those in the chancel show St Margaret, St Wilfrid, Dorothea, virgo et martyr, St Richard and the scene in the Garden where the risen Christ confronts Mary. A more recent window in the south wall of the nave dates from the 1920's and is in memory of Etheldreda, Lady Burrell. It shows the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel. In the foreground Shipley Windmill can be seen. In the chancel above the choir stalls is a large black marble memorial to Sir Charles Merrick Burrell, Member of Parliament for New Shoreham and the Rape of Bramber for 52 years, who died in 1862. He also built nearby Knepp Castle in 1809. But the finest memorial dates from 1616. Made of alabaster it commemorates Sir Thomas Caryll and his family. He and his wife lie placidly together and below their five children are portrayed. In the north wall of the chancel is a replica of a rare reliquary sadly stolen in 1976. The original was made in the 13th century of Limoges enamel. Other memorials include an 18th century one to the Mchill family. In the north aisle is one commemorating Anny Ahlers 'renowned for genius in dramatic art' who died in 1933. On the south wall is a plaque relating to the composer John Ireland (1879-1962) who lies buried in the churchyard. The most recent addition to the church dates from 1984 when the local Scout troop raised money for a Scout Memorial window to commemorate 77 years of scouting. It can be seen in the north aisle. Mostly in blues and red it includes six roundels. One shows the church and the others depict scouts canoeing, map reading and being presented with awards. Also shown is a view of Chanctonbury Ring from the church tower and the Scout Hut. Above is the motto "Be Prepared" and below the Scout Law and a Prayer of Thanksgiving. Also shown in bright red are silhouettes of the curlew, the falcon and the owl. This unusual window was the work of Margaret Traherne. On the wall alongside are Scout banners and a Roll of Honour commemorating two scouts killed in the war and 26 others who served. From the churchyard note the fine carvings on the Norman west door and the 14th century wooden south porch containing a medieval stone bollard brought up from the river where barges from Shoreham once tied up. John Symonds |
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