Saxon Churches in Sussex

Botolphs Gallery

Botolphs Gallery 2002

ST. BOTOLPH'S.-The little Church of St. Botolph, near Bramber, which is well-known on account of its pre-conquest chancel arch, had evidently fallen at one time into disrepair, and in consequence has lost its north aisle. On the south door is the date 1630, with initials, presumably those of the Churchwardens at that period. It occurs to me that these initials commemorate not only the making of the door, but probably also the repair of the Church when the north arcade was built up. The pulpit, communion table and panelling, all appear to date from the same period, The little diagram with the initials and date are perhaps worth recording.

WAITER H. GODFREY.

From Sussex Notes & Queries Vol I No. 8 November 1927 Page 254
Reproduced by courtesy of the Sussex Archaeological Society (SAS). 
SAS grants this licence for the stated purpose in respect of such rights as SAS may have over the articles, 
but those rights may not include the author's copyright in the words and/or images.

SUSSEX CHURCH PLANS.

XV.-ST. BOTOLPH (NEXT BRAMBER)

The Church of St. Botolph, which gives its name to the parish, is interesting by reason of the survival of its pre-conquest Chancel arch, which has capitals reminiscent of Sompting tower-arch. From the evidence of the nave quoins it would seem that the south wall is largely of the same date

.

In the 13th century an aisle was added on the north, but this became ruinous and the arcade is now built up. The Chancel was rebuilt in the 14th century, when certain windows were inserted. A note and illustration of the Churchwardens' initials and date 1630 on the south door are given in S.N.Q. vol. i, p.254. The low side window in the south wall of the Chancel is illustrated in S.A.C., xii, p.175.

W.H.G.

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