West Tarring is surrounded on all sides by the suburban sprawl of modern
Worthing, but it much the older and, originally, more important
settlement.
The village still retains its attractive original
High Street, on which are several old pubs and a lovely 15th century
half-timbered house, with a distinctive overhang (now the Parsonage
Restaurant, and a grade II* listed building). It also contains the
remains of an old palace belonging to the Archbishops of Canterbury (see
separate review), now the Parish Hall. The origins of the town date
back at least to 941AD, when King Athelstan gave the Manor of Terringes
to the Church of Christ at Canterbury.
Domesday mentions two
churches, although nothing of these buildings survives. Today, the
skyline is dominated by the fine tower and spire of St Andrews, one of
only a handful of Grade 1 Listed buildings in Worthing. Reflecting its
status as a peculiar of Canterbury, it is a huge church for such a small
village. Saint Richard, Bishop of Chichester, took refuge here in
1245-1247, when he was temporarily banished from his See by Henry III.
Although heavily restored by the Victorians, the five-bay Nave and
aisles are essentially Early English Gothic from the 13th century, with
lancet windows in both aisles and the clerestory. In the south aisle is a
fine trefoil-headed piscina, preserved in fine condition by being
plastered over in the Reformation rather than destroyed. In the 15th
century, the present tower and chancel were built, both with fine
Perpendicular windows. The spire covered in wooden shingles - was added
in the 16th century.
But the church's real glory lies in its
woodwork: a fine 15th century chancel screen, complete with an
impressive (and rather intimidating) row of spikes along the top, and a
set of six misericords, with fine carvings underneath, including two
bearded heads with flowing locks, and floral compositions. The
Victorians continued the panelling around the chancel wall, but the very
fine carved Communion Rail - described by Nairn and Pevsner in 'The
Buildings of England' as 'perky' is Jacobean.
Unfortunately,
the original font was taken to New Zealand by the principal landowners
in the 19th century, and the present one is a copy. However, the
interior of nave is decorated by a complex mosaic decorative scheme of
1885, designed by the church architect William Butterfield. On my visit,
I was made very welcome by the Rector and Churchwarden, very proud of
their historic church.
Outside, the attractive churchyard is
full of 18th and 19th century tombs, many of high quality. The oldest
and most poignant is a table tomb to one John Parson, dated 1633. A
listed monument in its own right, it carries a short but painfully
evocative verse:
Young was his age
Virginity his state
Learning his love
Consumption his fate
It's a perfect antidote to some of the more sentimental Victorian epitaphs.
Church Road, West Tarring, Worthing BN13 1HF
