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- North Stoke, West Sussex (Church of St Mary the Virgin)
In an idyllic rural setting on the South Downs, in a loop of the river Arun, St Mary's is a beautiful place to stumble upon.
The church is in the simple shape of a cross and remains virtually unaltered since Medieval times; its calm and peaceful atmosphere evokes centuries of prayer.
Until recently, the church was known as North Stoke Church. But in 2007, archaeologists researching the church records in the archives at Kew, discovered a letter dated 1275 from a bishop to King Edward I, naming the church as St Mary.
Though not large, its simplicity and elegant proportions give the impression of height and space. Light floods in through the clear glass of the beautiful Medieval windows to illuminate the interior.
Traces of wall paintings dating from the 14th-century include flowers, leaves, and scrolls, showing that the church would have been a blaze of colour and decoration in the Middle Ages.
Some very early and rare stained glass remains from the beginning of the 14th-century, including figures which may represent the Virgin Mary and King David.
There is some intriguing stone carving, including a sheep’s head above a recessed stone seat on the west wall - an appropriate symbol in sheep-rearing country - and a quaint little hand.
On the outside wall, facing south, is carved a medieval mass dial which was used before the days of clocks to calculate when church services should begin.
To locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.
5 miles by road north of Arundel off B2139; signposted from Houghton Bridge
Nearest railway station: Amberley (1 mile).
TQ 019 108
01/05/12
Following on from the success of our Discover Wallpaintings project last year we are delighted to announce the launch of…
Church of St Mary Magdalene, Tortington, West Sussex
Boggle-eyed monsters in a rustic church
Church of The Holy Sepulchre, Warminghurst, West Sussex
A country gem from a gentler era
Arundel Castle
Heritage site
Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
Heritage site
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Click on images to view larger
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out about this church and the CCT before you visit?
You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
Hampshire, Sussex & Surrey County Guide (PDF, 4.9mb)
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Hampshire, Sussex & Surrey. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
Church of St Mary Magdalene, Tortington, West Sussex
Boggle-eyed monsters in a rustic church
Ford Road, Tortington, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 0FD
See church page
Church of The Holy Sepulchre, Warminghurst, West Sussex
A country gem from a gentler era
Church Park Lane, Warminghurst, Ashington, West Sussex, RH20 3AW
See church page
Church of St John the Evangelist, Chichester, West Sussex
A rare surviving example of a Georgian evangelical 'preaching house'
St John's Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1UR
See church page
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
All our West Sussex churches are in CCT’s South East region.
Contact email: janet@aidin.co.uk
Family days out in West Sussex
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
If the access information for this church is listed as 'Keyholder nearby', this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.
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This is a special magical place
When I visited this church I was first struck with what I thought was the small size, but upon entry the open space of the church grew to a magnificent size. A lovely quiet place to be still and the elevation of the east end, with the stain glass behind the stain glass was wonderful.