St Mary’s Church, Sompting

Historical facts so very well covered by David (dmj1962), in his usual brilliant style.
My addition is really to encourage people to stop and have a look around It is an outstanding church and has such a great feel to it.
I have family interred in the graveyard from the 1600’s through to 1920’s, plus many other local family names ie Riddles, Sayers.
A great place for checking family records in association with Sussex Family History Group.

The church of St Mary, Sompting, is well known as one of the best-​preserved Anglo-​Saxon churches in England.
Thought to date from about 960 AD, it is also mentioned in the Domesday book. The principal — and most distinctive — feature is the Anglo-​Saxon tower, capped by a diamond-​shaped roof, known as a ‘Rhenish Helm’ or ‘Rhineland Helmet’. This is the only one of its type remaining in Britain, and it is a striking sight across the fields from the nearby A27. Inside, the base of the tower contains a lovely Anglo-​Saxon arch, with interestingly carved capitals. These have a primitive form of scroll and leaf decoration — as if they could not decide between choosing between the Corinthian or Ionic Orders.
The remainder of the church dates from a rebuilding some time after 1154, when it was given to the Knight’s Templars. The style is late Norman (romanesque) and appears to have been based on the original Anglo-​Saxon plan, with the addition of the present north and south transepts. The capitals of the columns under the later arches are interesting in themselves, demonstrating different sculptural motifs from the 12^th century. There are also some interesting fragments of relief carving, dated to around the same period, one of which shows a cleric reading from a book, with oddly stylised facial features.
Access to Church Lane from the A27 is restricted to the eastbound-​carriageway only. This busy dual-​carriageway mars what would otherwise be a lovely place.
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Photos added 15-​07-​2007