St Peter, Henfield, West Sussex - 8th June 2004

Henfield Church stands at the highest point in the village, on a sandy ridge above the River Adur.  The earliest part of the present building is six or seven hundred years old, but a church was on this site at least the same period before that.  In 770 fifteen hides of land were granted by Count Warbald and his wife Tidburga "for the endowment of the Church of the blessed Apostle Peter at Hamfelde".  The name of the village is Anglo-Saxon, and describes its position on the high open space - the sandy ridge between the forest on the north and the wet lands of the Adur, still flooded in winter, to the south and west.

Here are the organ pipes at the east end of the south aisle, together with the organ console.  I believe that today the organ is electronic, with large loudspeakers mounted high on the wall at the west end of the nave.

Here are the stained glass windows, from the west end of the south aisle around the church back to the north side of the north aisle.  They pictures have been corrected for perspective distortion.

Here is the east window above the main altar.

Here is the east window of the Parham Chapel.

This is my favourite window in the church, it is in the north wall of the Parham Chapel.

Here are some detail pictures of the individual lancets.

This is a nice window depicting Fortitude and Charity - worth a couple of close ups to see the lovely colours of the Victorian glass.

This final picture is of the 15th century tower from the south side. The clock was paid for by public subscription in honour of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.  Before the installation of electric winding, the clock was wound with 243 turns of a heavy handle twice a week.

There is a ring of eight bells mostly dating from the 18th century when a tenor bell was added to the existing five especially for the ringing of the Knell.  The bells were recast in 1913 and are considered one of the best rings in Sussex.

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