St Peter’s Church

Henfield is one of those Sussex villages lots of people drive through and admire, but seldom stop to explore further. That’s a pity, because (traffic aside) it’s a very attractive spot, with an impressive church, tucked away from the main street on a narrow lane.
History records King Osmond giving permission to the local Count Warbold for a church here as far back as 770AD, but the oldest parts of the present church date from around 1250. Rebuilding in the late 13^th or early 14^th centuries provided the present nave and clerestory, and the 15^th century the tower and Lady Chapel. Restoration in 1871 delivered the present wide aisles and two-​bay outer aisles as transepts, as well as a new chancel.
From the outside, the impression is of an entirely Victorian church, save for the tower: Pevsner’s Buildings of England describes this as: A Perp tower like a keep, as grim as it would be in Northumberland. But inside, the retention of the 13^th century chancel arch and handsome 14^th century arcade and nave roof, as well as the Lady Chapel, give it a more historic appearance, although those wide aisles and transepts do draw the eye sideways as much as forwards.
Fittings are mostly Victorian, although the screen to the chapel now known as the Parham Chapel — is 15^th century, and there are old church chests one Jacobean dotted around. The piscina is also 14^th century and was moved to the chancel in the Victorian restoration. Two 13^th century lancet windows were also retained, now in the clergy vestry. The chapel windows are original, although the glass in modern (many of the windows are by Kempe). The most striking modern addition is the very new stone floor a most impressive expanse, which ones hopes will mellow with age.
Outside, the churchyard is worth a wander around: there are some fine 18^th century gravestones, and avenues of clipped yews 104 in all!