Country Churches

100. St Botolph, Botolphs

Founded in 750 A.D this is one of the oldest Saxon churches in Sussex. It stands in the Adur valley south of Steyning and is reached via a narrow winding country lane leading south towards Lancing. The original 14th century priests house still stands alongside but few other houses remain in the village today.

The settlement of Botolphs dates from Roman times when a bridge was built across the river nearby to help the transport of tin from the Cornish mines to the port of Pevensey, but by the 14th century the sea was receding and the bridge was destroyed by flooding. The area became depopulated and in 1534 the parish was amalgamated with Bramber and no more vicars were appointed.

The old wooden door of the south porch is clearly dated 1630 but step inside and much of the original Saxon work confronts you. The high nave, 55ft 6 inches by 17 feet, has walls almost 3 feet thick. Traces of Saxon wall paintings remain over the chancel arch. Three pointed arches can be seen in the north wall of the nave. They once led into a north aisle added in 1250 but no longer standing today. The present tower dates from the same time.

Near the west end of the south wall a small round headed Saxon window with wide splays can still be seen. The chancel arch is also Saxon. The timbered roof is medieval whilst the square font with its wood pyramid top stands on an ancient base. The rough red bricked floor has never seen carpets. The carved pulpit with its sounding board is Jacobean and Archbishop Laud is said to have preached from it. In the nave floor are tomb slabs relating to Capt William Scras (d.1683) and Thomas Swill (d.1687), whilst on the north wall are Victorian memorials relating to the Penfold family.

In the chancel are two early lancet windows giving a slant view of the altar from the churchyard outside. It is believed they were provided as squints for lepers from the hospital of St Mary Magdalene in Bramber. An aumbry can be seen in the north wall of the chancel and a piscina on the south side. In the floor is a memorial slab to Nicholas Heaver of Annington who died in 1763.

At the west end hang the Royal arms of Charles II possibly relating to the flight of the king who passed through Bramber on his way to exile in France in 1650. The tower with its 3 foot walls and pyramidal cap was built in 1250. It contains 3 bells placed there in 1534 and still in their original wooden frames. Made by John Tanne, a local bell-founder, one is inscribed 'Sancta Petre ora pro nobis' relating to the original dedication to St Peter. The present dedication to St Botolph probably dates from the 13th century rebuilding. On each bell can be seen a Tudor rose, a Henry VIII medallion and a foliated cross as well as the makers inscription 'Johannes Tonne me fecit.'

This fine little church which has seen 12¼ centuries of worship is today linked with both Beeding and Bramber and occasional services are still held there.

John Symonds