St Botolph’s is a Saxon Grade I listed church close to the River Adur and near Bramber and Steyning in West Sussex.
It sits to the side of both the South Downs Way and the Downs Link. Because of its position, it’s sometimes known as The Wayfarers’ church. If you’re passing that way, it’s worth a quick detour.
The church used to serve the hamlet of Botolph’s and 700 years ago, when the river was navigable, it was at the heart of a bustling area. Steyning had a harbour and salt was produced on the marshes. After the river silted up, the bridge nearby which had been used for thousands of years (including by the Romans) fell into disuse and the village population declined. The Domesday Book mentions a church at Annington which could be this one. At about this time, the church was rededicated to St Peter de Vetere Ponte (meaning St Peter of the Old Bridge) but this dedication had fallen out of use by the 15th century.
These days the church sits down a small, narrow lane, with only a couple of houses for company and the South Downs just feet away. It’s very much a place of peace and tranquillity.
The first thing you notice is the south doorway which is 17th century and has a beautiful wooden door engraved with the date 1630.
The carving also has two initials thought to be the churchwardens at the time and a triangle pattern. Inside, the nave walls date to about 1050 and one of the windows is from the late Saxon period. There is a Medieval Mass Dial in the chancel, the pulpit is Jacobean and the chancel arch is 11th century.
There are also faint remains of Medieval frescoes which were uncovered in the 1930s and are thought to depict a Doom with St John, the Virgin Mary and a bishop. There is a Royal Arms from the reign of Charles II and the tower dates form the 14th century with three bells that were cast in 1536.
It doesn’t take long to explore this little church which is a mix of architectural periods and history, but it is one of those places that when you drive past, you can’t (and shouldn’t) resist a quick stop to remind yourself of times gone by. It’s perhaps all the more intriguing because it’s only a short distance from the vast and magnificent Lancing Chapel. What a contrast.
St Botolph’s is now under the guardianship of the Churches Conservation Trust. If you’ve enjoyed this post about St Botolph’s Church, you may also like:
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