In the C19, two chapels were built in the large parish of Maresfield to provide for worship in the settlements within Ashdown Forest. Nutley was one and subsequently became a full parish. R C Carpenter designed the stone church in 1845(ICBS) using J Cowper as surveyor. It was originally aisleless with lancets - the three east ones have moulded rere-arches and only the relatively long chancel indicates Carpenter’s Tractarian sympathies. Instead of a tower there is a stone belfry and the steep and partially ceiled roofs inside are a sign of the relatively early date. The shape of the steeply pointed chancel arch, the dominant feature of the interior when built, was determined by the angle of the roofs.
In 1871 a gabled north aisle of smoother stone was added. The arcade and other detail are C14 in form, though Carpenter would not have approved of the square-headed north and west windows. The architect is one W Shaw (B 29 p972), otherwise unknown, for whom the ICBS application provides a middle name of ‘Maynard’. The church was then little changed until 1978, when the original chancel fittings were removed or re-arranged (vidi).
An extension was added in 1986 (inscription on doorway from church), added at right angles to the west end and linked to the church. This is more conspicuously placed than most of its kind and shares the steep pitched roofs of the church.
Fittings and monuments
Font: C19 with quatrefoils carved into the round bowl.
Glass:
1. (Chancel) The side windows contain plain Grisaille glass. The east lancets are somewhat similar, but there is more use of colour, including some small figures. Everything probably dates from Carpenter’s time or soon after.
2. (North aisle) Clayton and Bell, 1873 (Rev Albert Smallpeice) (CDK 1873 pt 2 p97).
3. (South nave, first window) J Hardman and Co, 1877 but faded (index).
4. (North aisle, first to third windows) J Powell and Sons, 1907-23(order book).
5. (South nave, third window) P Berry, 1997 (signed). This is clearly inspired by the C19 decorative glass in the chancel.
5. (Door from church into west extension) Small panel by P Berry dating from 1986.
Tiling: (Sanctuary) fine C19 work.
“If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication. There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page found via the Bookmark list”