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Friston, East Sussex - St Mary the Virgin Parish Church

Church of St Mary, Church Road, Friston, East Sussex

 

Grade II* Listed

 

List Entry Number: 1287864

 

National Grid Reference: TM 41350 60488

 

 

Details

 

In the entry for:-

 

TM 46 SW FRISTON CHURCH ROAD

 

4/8 Church of St Mary

 

GV 7.12.66 II*

 

the description shall be amended to read:-

 

 

Parish Church. Remains of C11 structure in north wall; some C12 work; Main body of the church C14 and C15; post-Reformation additions of several dates, detailed below; restorations and redecorations of the late C19 and early C20 concentrated at the west and east ends respectively. Flint with cement rendering; brick porch and buttresses; roof of tile with lower verge of slate. Chancel of three irregularly spaced bays; nave of seven bays; west tower of three stages with broad, setback angle buttresses; west organ loft of wood. The chancel is not set off from the nave by an arch, being demarcated by a single step to choir area; this level change as well as the painted decorations in the chancel date to 1913 and are, according to a brass fixed to the single lancet in the south side of the chancel, a memorial to Emily Sophia Hills; the timber framing to the roof appear to date from this refurbishment. Chancel with three-light window, curvilinear tracery is late C19 work and is filled with memorial glass dated 1895. Arched timber principals to nave, the area above the collar plastered, like the underside of the roof wall plate moulded. The mouldings on the roof suggest a late C15 date; there is also some suggestion that the timbers may have been reused from another structure, perhaps in the late medieval period. Pair of two-light C15-styled windows to north wall of nave; lancet with Y tracery on line between chancel and nave to south; two-light Perpendicular window to side of entrance porch and a two-light Decorated window to the other side. Entrance to south of the nave dates to the C12. Segmental pointed arch to tower. Interior fixtures and fittings include: benches to nave of mid to late C19; choir stalls of same date partly removed; octagonal font at west end, centre of aisle; sacrarium enclosed by a wood and metal rail and elevated; painted wood reredos dating to early C20. Fine wood coat of arms of James I to the north nave wall; early C17 pulpit mounted on a C19 or C20 base, may perhaps be a married piece; holy table by main door; in 1988 new window installed by Mrs. Vernon Wentworth of the Blackheath Mansion Friston.

 

Excavations in 1983 and 1988 have revealed two new features of note: in the north nave wall a round-arched door evidently of C11 date; to the east of the south door a staircase dating probably to the C14. No evidence for the latter visible from outside or from within; the former left exposed but blocked. Exterior features of note: south porch of brick with wood verge boards and pointed diaphragm arch of C18. West tower rebuilt in facsimile in 1900-1, its three- light west window with reticulated tracery; grouping of trefoiled arches and bell louvre to top stage, an unusual feature; two-light bell louvres to each of remaining top stages of tower. The nave is noteworthy for having been very little restored in the nineteenth century.

 

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TM 46 SWFRISTONCHURCH ROAD

 

4/8 Church of St Mary 7.12.66

 

GV II*

 

Parish church. Mainly C14 and C15, much restored C19 and early C20. C18 south porch. Flint, with cement render to nave and chancel and brick buttresses; plain tile roof. South porch of brick, pantiled roof. Early C14 west tower, entirely rebuilt 1900-1 as exact replica of old; 3 stages, diagonal stepped buttresses extending above parapet. West face has 3 trefoil and cinquefoil headed niches in upper stage; a further trefoil headed niche to upper face of each buttress. Nave south doorway is C12; south side of nave and chancel with windows of C13 and late C14/early C15. Nave has medieval arch-braced roof; chancel restored C19 with painted walls and ceiling. Fine wooden coat of arms of James I on north nave wall, restored. Early C17 pulpit; C17 holy table by main door. Graded for surviving medieval work.

 

Listing NGR: TM4135060488

 

 

historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1287864

 

 

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Friston church

 

The church is built in flint with an aisless nave and short chancel. The west end of the nave dates from the 11th C. with roof timbers from about 1450.

 

The chancel was built around 1300 with a low arch from the nave. The east window is by Jane Patterson, 2002, depicting the ascension, in memory of Raphael Patterson (1977-1997) and was installed by Roger Barton.

 

The south porch is from 14th C. and has medieval graffiti.

 

In 1887 the church had become very dilapidated and the church was repaired and reopened in 1892.

 

The north transept was built in the mid 19th century, by Miss Anne Gilbert to provide additional seating and as a new home for the Selwyn monuments. There is a monument to Sir Thomas Selwyn and family, including three chrisom children. There is also a brass to Thomas Selwyn and wife.

 

The north window depicts the Annunciation by Marguerite Thompson from 1960.

 

The churchyard contains the grave of composer Frank Bridge.

 

 

www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3338906

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Uploaded on July 27, 2017
Taken on June 22, 2017