History of the Church

This simple Church has stood in its peaceful setting for more the 700 years, overlooking Fishbourne Creek and the water meadows, which in Roman times, formed a busy harbour dominated by a magnificent Roman Palace. A Chichester Register of the period 1243/54 indicates that the Church was in existence at that time.

The Rector's Board lists the first rector as being in office in 1326. The original church probably consisted of the present Chancel only; the Nave and Bell-cote are thought to have been added in th 14th century. In the 17th century the transept, porch and south aisle were added.

On the external north-east corner are found Pilgrim marks, consisting of several small crosses. These are believed to have been cut by pilgrims from the continent who had landed in Portsmouth and were making their way to the Shrine of St. Richard in Chichester Cathedral. These pilgrimages took place between 1262 (the year of the Saint's canonization) and 1538 when the shrine was destroyed by Henry Vlll's commissioners.

There are many objects of historic interest throughout the interior of the Church, including good examples of stained glass windows, numerous memorials (some of which are quite ancient) and other reminders of the antiquity that we are delighted to have inherited. In more recent years there have been a number of additions, amongst which are the kneelers, embroidered by a Church working group with local scenes memorials and depictions, and completed for the Queen's Silver Jubilee. The new millennium was marked by the preparation of a large photo album as a pictorial record of the Chuch and it's content.