Fishbourne is best known for the remains of the impressive
Roman palace which once stood in the village. But it is has a pretty little
church with mediaeval origins, if rather heavily rebuilt in the 19th
century.
History
The church was built between 1243 and 1254, but may
initially have consisted only of the present chancel. The nave and bell-cote
were added in the 14th century. Little changed until 1821 when a
north transept was erected, with a stuccoed porch. In 1847 a south aisle was
added, and the transept and nave were enlarged westwards to form the church we
see today.
The church
The setting is a little surprising: although uncomfortably
close to the A27, it is well screened by trees and can be approached from the
village by a short, public footpath through woods and fields, which provides an
altogether more sylvan setting.
The exterior walls are a mixture of ragstone and flint, all
very neat and testifying to the Victorian rebuild. Inside, apart from a small
section of the arcade wall at the west end, the nave and aisles are now
basically of 19th century date. The aisles of three bays on either
side are each as wide as the nave, and give it a bright and spacious feel.
The fabric of the chancel is 13th century, with
one original lancet to the south east. (All the rest were renewed.) This space is
altogether more intimate, and contains some ancient looking pews – possibly
Jacobean? - used as choir stalls. In one of the lancets is a fragment of old
glass – possibly 16th or early 17th century.
Other items of interest include two memorials at the west
end, one in Latin to Anthony Wells (d. 1594) and one to an unknown member of the Lane family,
dated 1612 and carrying the crest of the family. Outside on the north east
corner of the chancel are pilgrim crosses, possibly made by Continental
visitors going to the shrine of St Richard of Chichester, from 1262 onwards.
The church has a lively and active congregation, currently
raising funds to build a new parish hall.
Fishbourne Road West, Fishbourne, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 3JW
Fishbourne Road West, Fishbourne, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 3JW
