Welcome to The Friends of Sussex Historic Churches Trust web site.  The Friends are an informal group of like-minded people who have an interest in the well-being of Sussex Churches.

Formed in 1991 the Friends exist to give support to The Sussex Historic Churches Trust.  The Trust offers grants and interest free loans to churches and chapels that are at least one hundred years old and open for public worship.

Because it has no Diocesan, Local Authority or English Heritage support, our Trust relies entirely on voluntary efforts in fundraising, careful investment of its capital funds, some legacies and most importantly from the generosity of many people.  By these means, it is able to help needy churches to the extent of some £70,000 each year, but the amount of grant depends entirely upon income.

Sussex has a fine heritage in church buildings and, whilst there are a number of large and architecturally important churches, there are many small but historically valuable churches, a large number of which are of pre-conquest date.  Frequently these churches are in small rural parishes where "the need is great but the parishioners few" to quote from the first Annual Return of the Trust.

 Invitation

If you value this unique heritage and think it worth maintaining, we invite you to become a member of The Sussex Historic Churches Trust.  In so doing you will make a valuable contribution towards the work of the trust and through them help in the maintenance and repair of the beautiful churches of Sussex, so that they are handed on intact to future generations just as our ancestors have preserved them over the centuries.

 

 Our Offer

  • The Friends receive an Autumn Newsletter about the Trust's work.  

  • They also receive the Annual Report, 

  • Invitation to the AGM, 

  • Participation in events organised such as church visits, lectures, fundraising activities and similar events

Your Commitment

To pay an annual subscription of £10 for an individual or a couple.

 

  • Boxgrove Church

 
 

Future Events 2006

Sunday 30th April
Spring outing - a guided visit to two churches centred on Petworth in West Sussex.
Dr David Parsons FSA will guide us around St. Mary's church with its numerous significant memorials.  Tillington village is situated approx one mile west of Petworth off the A272 Petworth to Midhurst road.
2.30pm Tillington, All hallows
Parking along Village Street by wall to Petworth Park, few spaces in front of Village Hall
3.15pm Tea in Village Hall
Travel short distance to Petworth and follow signs to public car park
4.15pm Petworth, St. Mary's
Guided tour of church.
5.00pm Evensong led by The Reverend Canon David Pollard.

Sunday 2nd July - Revised Details for Visit to Offham & Hamsey

Summer outing to Offham and Hamsey.  The parish of hamsey is served by two churches; a Victorian church at Offham was built to replace the ancient but inconveniently situated church at Hamsey.  Fortunately St. Peter's at Hamsey escaped demolition and still stands on rising ground in the Ouse valley.
3.00pm Offham Church.
Guided visit to church.
4.00pm Tea in Offham Church.  Use of toilet at Vicarage nextdoor to church by kind permission of Vicar.
5.00pm Hamsey, St. Peter's church.
Guided visit to church.
6.00pm Evensong, a special arrangement of medieval music, led by Nick Milner-Gulland.


Parking

Parking at Offham is possible near the church.
Parking at Hamsey is more difficult.  Do not drive right up to the church but approach slowly and park in the field on your right, then continue on foot to the church.  Disabled passengers may be dropped off outside the church, but the car must be driven back and parked in the field.  If a driver has difficulties please mention it at Offham and we can arrange a lift to Hamsey and back.
Saturday September 9th
9.00am - 6.00pm Sussex Historic Churches Trust  'Ride & Stride'.
For more details please click HERE

Sunday 17th September
Late summer visit to Worth.  Please note that St. Nicholas, the ancient Saxon Church is now embraced by modern Crawley, in the vicinity of Maidenbower shopping complex.  Our visit begins at St Nicholas.  Parking is advised along the lane leading to the church.  Worth Abbey, our second visit, is set in more rural surroundings and overlooks beautiful scenery; approximately one and a half miles south of St. Nicholas and directions will be supplied on the day.  There is ample parking at Worth Abbey.
3.00pm Worth, St Nicholas
Guided visit to the church
4.15pm Tea in the church
6.00pm Vespers, Worth Abbey by kind invitation of the monks

Please would you contact the Secretary during the week before each visit if you are hoping to attend, in order that we may advise our hosts in advance.

Joy Taylor: Tel: 01243 783398