Church Micro 6614...
West Blatchington - St Peter
St Peter's is an Anglo-Catholic church that has risen again, out of ruins. It was built in the 11th century, by the Saxons, with alterations made, by the Normans in the 12th century. The church was disused by the end of the 16th century, it was declared ruined in the 17th century and by the 19th century only four walls remained, which were used to store hens in, by farmers occupying the land.
Proposals to restore the church began in the early-mid 19th century, but various land-tenants held the plans up. That was until 1888 when current tenant Harriot Hodson died and left money in her will for the church to be restored. That was done by Somers Clarke and the church was reopened on St Peter's Day, 29th June 1891.
The restoration was completed before the development of Hangleton and West Blatchington, which meant that just a few decades later it was very clear that the church was too small for the new population. Owing to this the church was expanded in the early 60's.
Other interesting facts:
- In 1950 the building was grade II listed.
- It was reopened in 1891, but it didn't have its own parish until 1940 (in the 18th century it was joined with Brighton).
- The entrance porch was restored in 1987.
- There was a Roman Villa half a mile to the NW of the church, the debris of which the Saxons partly used in the construction of the original church.
- The memorial to Reginald John Campbell actually lists his wrong age at death. Bad maths!
You may know by now that I like old pictures...here you go!
^These are the four walls that remained of the ruins in the 19th century. (The date of the photo is unknown).
^This photo was taken around 1912. It shows West Blatchington farm, which contained the windmill and the land surrounding the church.
^This somewhat eerie photo was taken in 1920. Compare it to the photo of the ruins!
Credit to the Regency Society for the old pictures!
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