St Bartholomew's, Wanborough

St John the Baptist, Puttenham

St Laurence, Seale

St Martin, East Horsley

St Lawrence, Caterham

Saint Lawrence is the ancient church of Caterham, dating from the 11th century. Superseded by St Mary's Church on the opposite side of the road in 1866, it's an atmospheric example of a church untouched by the 19th Century, and its archaeology is unusually easy to read in the fabric.

The church was built in 1095, and originally comprised a nave and rounded apse. Of this period, part of a Norman window remains, and the outline of the apse is partly visible outside on the south wall. To this was added in the 13th Century first south and north chapels, then a south and a north aisle, each of two bays. Towards the end of this work, the chancel was extended and a new chancel arch inserted. In the late 18th century the east end of the chancel and the north aisle wall were rebuilt, partly in brick, and the belfry replaced. The porch was added in 1832. 

The south aisle and chapel are long gone, but the outlines of the arches are clearly visible inside and out, as well as the capitals (inside). The north aisle remains, as wide and longer than the nave. The result is a quirky medley of periods: the north aisle arcade is barely pointed, yet the piers alternate, rounded and octagonal: above the central pillar is a rather alarming gargoyle-like head, bearing a fine set of teeth. The roofs look original, and are certainly old. Although most of the plaster is unpainted, there are faint traces of colouring, including two angels - one in each spandrel of the chancel arch. The chancel has the rustic remains of the lower part of a screen, and a rather striking monument to Elizabeth Legrew (d. 1825) by her son, with a kneeling figure in an ogee arch.

The church has a monthly evening service of contemplative music (Iona or Taize) and in the summer is open on Sunday afternoons for tea and cakes, as well as occasional tours, organised by the Guild of Friends of St. Lawrence's Ancient Church. I can vouch for their welcome, and quality of the cakes!

St Lawrence, Church Hill, Caterham CR3 6SA

St Nicholas, Shepperton

 

A mile or so beyond the branch line terminus that bears its name, the attractive old village centre of Shepperton sits on the bank of the Thames, where it curves sharply through a 180 degree meander.

The river has played a decisive role in the development of the church, for in 1605-6 a flood took away much of the 12th Century building. It was rebuilt using salvaged materials, although recent archaeology suggests at least some of the 12th Century structure survived to be incorporated into the new church. Externally, much use was made of flint and stone chequerboard, and it looks as though some of the Perpendicular windows survived, too. 

The west tower was added at the expense of the Rector, Lewis Atterbury, in 1714. This is a quaint brick structure with the surprisingly small plan of 12ft by 8ft, which necessitated an external staircase to the ringing chamber and west gallery. The story goes that Queen Anne, to whom Atterbury was Chaplain, suggested the church would be improved with the addition of a tower, so he paid for it himself - but clearly kept the costs down. The attractive tower clock was added in 1769.

The interior has a modest, homely nave, with transepts and a rather dark chancel, thanks to some heavy Victorian glass. The west gallery was added in 1834 and bears the Royal Arms, probably those of William IV. In the north transept is an unusual survivor in the form of a manorial gallery, accessed by an external staircase. The fittings are all from the 19th Century and include several rows of box pews in the nave, complete with poppyheads.

The church is centre of a busy parish, with close connections to the primary school that bears its name.

St Nicholas, Church Square, Shepperton TW17 9JY

St Mary, Chiddingfold

All Saints, Witley

Witley is a pretty village on the busy A283 Godalming to Petworth road, its church on a bank just high enough to rise above from the traffic. The church is an ancient foundation and contains rare wall paintings from c. 1120, from the Lewes Priory school, which also includes those at Clayton and Hardham.

The church is Saxon in origin, with a tall, narrow nave and an original splayed window in the south wall. The crossing tower was added at the end of the 12th century: the chancel and north chapel have a mixture of 13th and 14th century features, most notably a lovely East window in the curvilinear style. The north aisle and transept are 19th century, but fit happily into what is a warm and welcoming village church interior.

The wall paintings are less well preserved than those at Hardham and Clayton, but depict various scenes from the life of the Virgin and Christ: they include the Virgin at the Temple, the parable of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus (the feast of Dives), with Abraham in heaven; the Marys watching the tomb of Christ, finding the empty tomb and the appearance of Christ to them; the Harrowing of Hell; and various scenes following the resurrection, and the parable of the miraculous haul of fishes. Althoguh the colours are faint (mostly pinks and browns) enough survives to show how lively and vivid they must once have been. More paintings are slowly being uncovered on the west and north walls.

Other furnishings of interest include a remarkable 13th century font, with an octagonal stem surrounded by 8 shafts; and a memorial brass to Thomas Jonys (d. 1530), a court official of Henry VIII.

The church has a busy parish life in the central tradition, with a choir, bellringers, and groups for toddlers, children and a Sunday School.

All Saints, Church Lane, Witley GU8 5PN

St Paul, East Molesey

East Molesey is a leafy and comfortable suburb of London on the south bank of the River Thames, to the west of Hampton Court station. St Paul's is one of two churches built to serve the growing suburb in the 1850s.

The church occupies a roundabout at the end of a long and impressive avenue which leads from the village high street, and was built to the designs of Stephen Salter & James John Laforest. Work progressed in stages: the nave and chancel were completed in 1854, followed by the south aisle (1860) and north aisle (1864), a nave extension in 1870 and the tower and spire in 1887-8. The land was donated by the property developer Francis Jackson Kent, to replace an earlier and smaller church which was no longer sufficient for the growing community.

The style is a rustic Decorated Gothic: ragstone on the outside, with a picturesque spire; inside, the nave arcades have octagonal piers with stiff-leaf capitals, each depicting different plants, now picked out in red and gold; and windows with a dizzying array of foliation. The church has some impressive stained glass, notably with a number of windows by Kemp, though mercifully there is enough clear glass to keep the interior from being too gloomy.

The church worships in the central style and has great provision for children, with Messy Church and one of the best collections of toys I've ever seen (and a 'bug hotel' in the churchyard). Happily, the church is also open during weekdays for private prayer and visits.

St Paul, Church Rd, East Molesey KT8 9DR

St Martin, Dorking

St Peter, Old Woking

Modern Woking grew up around the railway station, which opened in 1838. The original (and very old)  village is a mile and a half to the south east and still retains many of its original buildings, although it is sadly - and very noisily - dissected by two busy roads. Thankfully, St Peter's is quietly tucked away down a short road, close to the River Wey.

Records confirm the establishment of a Minster dedicated to St Peter as early as 675AD, and a church here is mentioned in Domesday. The oldest fabric (the north and west nave walls) is early 12th century; the 13th added the nave and the base of the west tower, which is a a happily messy mix of roughly knapped flint and old tiles. The 14th and 15th century provided the south aisle and upper part of the tower; and in the early 17th century came a pretty brick south porch, and the west gallery. 

The chief point of interest is the original west door: the simple roll-moulded arch has piers with cushion capitals, but - more importantly - retains its original Norman door. The wonderfully curved ironwork evokes classic Viking imagery of serpents and dragons. Consisting of four planks from a single tree, it has been dated between 1100 and 1138, making it a notable survivor. 

Other furnishings of interest include late mediaeval pews, a Jacobean pulpit, two early 16th century brasses, and some splendid 18th century monuments. But the chief joy is that they are set in a homely jumble of windows and wall monuments. This feels a friendly interior.

St Peter's is part of a benefice of three churches, offering a range of  traditional and more modern, informal, services. It is open weekdays and Sunday for visitors and private prayer.

St Peter, Church Street, Old Woking GU22 9JF

St John the Baptist, Busbridge

St John the Baptist (also known as Busbridge Church) sits in the village of Busbridge, up the hill from Godalming. The church has associations with Gertrude Jekyll and has some notable arts & crafts fittings. 

The church itself was built in 1865-67 to designs by Sir George Gilbert Scott, and consists of an unaisled nave and chancel, and an attractive central shingled bell tower, supported by an impressive pair of queen-post roof trusses inside. It is most notable for its fittings, which include east and west windows by Burne-Jones (executed by Morris & Co), and a remarkable chancel screen by Edwin Lutyens. This is a lovely, delicate work, suspended from the top of the arch, with Christ in Majesty at the centre of a tree, and angels beneath forming the roots. Lutyens also designed the tomb in the graveyard for the renowned horticulturalist Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932), who is buried alongside her brother Herbert  Jekyll and his wife Agnes.

The church is the centre of a busy parish life with nearby Hambledon, with a mixture of traditional and contemporary worship (including youth-led services). 

St John the Baptist (Busbridge Church), Brighton Road, Godalming GU7 1XA

St Nicolas, Guildford

St Nicolas sits at the western end of Guildford, just across the old town bridge from the centre. Observed from the High Street, it forms a pleasing vista: up close, and the appalling town planning of the area between the High Street and the railway station becomes apparent. St Nicolas ought to have a lovely spot between a pub and the river. Instead, the area is dominated by the car park, inner ring roas and a clutch of grim office buildings.

The best antidote to this is to enter the church. A mediaeval foundation, it was first rebuilt in 1837 by Robert Ebbels to a neo-Gothick design, incorporating the mediaeval tower. Of poor quality, this was not a success and both tower and church were replaced in 1875 by the present 13th-Century design by Samuel Sanders Teulon (1812-1873) and executed by Ewan Christian (1814-1895). Only the 15th Century Loseley Chapel on the south side survived from the mediaeval church. 

Teulon's design consists of an aisled nave, transepts and a short apse, with a central tower. One of the aisles has an odd traversal vault, but otherwise the design is simple and pleasing, a feeling emphasised by the whitewashed walls, with the ceiling panels picked out in red. In stark contrast, the highly decorated west wall is by Joseph Aloysius Pippet of Howard & Hardman. This forms a backdrop to the church's main fitting, the elaborate marble font with its towering Victorian High-Gothic cover, designed by Thomas Woodyer (left). The stained glass and other mosaics are by Clayton & Bell.

The separate Loseley Chapel - entered from the adjoining church centre - contains the tomb of Arnold Brocas (d. 1395), whose defaced but still impressive effigy lies under an elaborate canopy of three cinquefoiled arches. Brocas was both rector here, a canon of Lincoln and Wells, and Clerk of the King's works at the Palace of Westminster. Adjacent is the equally impressive memorial to Sir William (d. 1600) and Margaret More. Their life-size alabaster effigies are surrounded by Corinthian columns and cherubs, the whole edifice further flanked by matching memorials with kneeling effigies of their son (Sir George More) and wife and 2 daughters.

The church has a weekly mass and hosts regular concerts, a 'Cafe Play' baby & toddler group and a Friday morning coffee shop.

St Nicolas, Bury St, Guildford GU2 4AW

Holy Trinity, Guildford

St Mary, Guildford

St Andrew, Farnham

St Peter & St Paul, Lingfield

St George, Crowhurst (Surrey)

St Michael, Mickelham

St Peter & St Paul, Chaldon