Church Heritage Record 610067

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Merston: St Giles

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Merston: St Giles
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

CCT Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

610067
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Chichester
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Chichester
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

North Mundham with Merston

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

Work in progress - can you help?

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

Work in progress - can you help?

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Medieval

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 610067 Merston St Giles
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of 610067 Merston St Giles
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph showing the outside of the church as seen from the south.
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

June 2009
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Joseph Elders

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church was built in the late 12th or early 13th century and originally dedicated to St Bartholomew. It is possible the north aisle was added some time after construction, but probably not as late as the 14th century as has been suggested. The west window would appear to date to the late 14th century or slightly later, and several other lancet windows were altered in the Late Medieval period. The gabled and coped bellcote to the recessed west gable provides some vertical emphasis, and in the flat countryside this simple and charming church can be seen from some distance. The break between chancel and nave can be seen on the south side, with a line of quoins, and the fabric is slightly different, indicating that the nave is older. The exterior is otherwise rendered and the small lancet windows betray the building's antiquity.

Visiting and Facilities

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is closed for worship.
Date closed for worship:
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

Work in progress - can you help?

Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Joseph Elders (June 2009) Exterior image of 610067 Merston St Giles [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 610067 Merston St Giles
Joseph Elders (June 2009) Interior image of 610067 Merston St Giles [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 610067 Merston St Giles
James Miles (2018) Closed Churches [Digital Archive/Data]
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 1 Bell [Archive/Index]
1 Bell

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SU 893 026

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

County:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

West Sussex County

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

Merston is a rural hamlet strung along a looping country lane in the flat West Sussex countryside, just to the east of Chichester. At the south verge of this lane near a bend is the old village schoolhouse, erected in the early 19th century next to the church, there is parking space for two cars here. This small square building of stone rubble and red brick is listed Grade II in its own right. It has a hipped tiled roof, and retains a casement window with latticed panes. Its origin was possibly a stable for parishoners attending worship at the church, or a parish room. It is currently being used by the congregation for worship and as a meeting room. A path leads past the west end of this to the church, a simple building with mostly rendered walls and chancel and nave in one, with a deep sweeping roof which coers the north aisle and a west bellcote.

The churchyard has been extended south from the church with a pronounced drop, and is bounded by hedges except at the north-east corner where there is a flint wall laced with tile which connects to the schoolhouse. There is a spring near the west end, the only source of water here. Some mature trees around the south boundary. The grass is mostly kept long, perhaps by choice. There is a group of good grave markers from the early 18th century directly south of the church, and an area for cremation burials along the north wall. The churchyard is still used for burial.

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

Chancel and 3-bay nave in one, north aisle, south porch and bellcote at west end of the nave.

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Nave and chancel 15m long, 8m wide.

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

Work in progress - can you help?

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

Evidence of settlement from the Palaeolithic through to the Roman period has been found near the church, the latter including a Roman lamp and some coins. Around the churchyard evidence for a possible Shrunken Medieval Village in the form of sherds and occupation debris has been found. Manor Farm just to the north-east of the church contains the Old Parsonage, a large Medieval house once used as the vicarage. The site has considerable archaeological potential.

Merston is mentioned in the Domesday Book, but not a church. Before 1086 it was held by 'Gort', thought to be Earl Gurth, Harold's brother. In 1086 it was held by Oismelin, who gave the tithes of his land to the Abbey of Troarn. The church was built in the late 12th or early 13th century and originally dedicated to St Bartholomew. It is possible the north aisle was added some time after construction, but probably not as late as the 14th century as has been suggested. The west window would appear to date to the late 14th century or slightly later, and several other lancet windows were altered in the Late Medieval period.

The north door and porch look 17th century, the porch has a tie-beam dated 1637, and the communion rails and altar table may be of this date or somewhat later. The church was lightly restored and refurnished in the early-mid 19th century. A watercolour in the church shows the church as now externally, except for a wooden bell turret and a fence around the unextended churchyard. There was a Victorian decorative scheme with painted Commandment Boards flanking the east window, shown in an old photograph in the church. The church is now in a united benefice with North Mundham and Hunston.

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

The gabled and coped bellcote to the recessed west gable provides some vertical emphasis, and in the flat countryside this simple and charming church can be seen from some distance. The break between chancel and nave can be seen on the south side, with a line of quoins, and the fabric is slightly different, indicating that the nave is older. The exterior is otherwise rendered so that the fabric cannont be inspected, but the small lancet windows betray the building's antiquity.

There is one such lancet to the chancel north wall, and one to the east end of the aisle, replaced at some point. The north aisle wall is blind, there is a 4-centred doorway near the west end. The south wall has three single lancets, the chancel window with a cusped head. There is a noticeable building break between chancel and nave. The west bay has a small gabled porch with a small pointed opening over the 4-centred doorway arch, similar high in the side walls. 3-light Victorian stepped lancet to the chancel east wall, and a 3-light with panel tracery to the west end flanked by stepped buttresses.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
AISLE (13th century)
BELLCOTE (Unknown)
CHANCEL (late 12th / early 13th century)
NAVE (late 12th / early 13th century)
PORCH (17th century)

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
LIMESTONE (late 12th / early 13th century)
ROUGHCAST (Unknown)
TILE (late 12th / early 13th century)

Interior Image

Interior image of 610067 Merston St Giles
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior image of 610067 Merston St Giles
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph of the inside of the church, looking east.
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
June 2009
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Joseph Elders

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

There is patching to the plastered porch ceiling. The inner south doorway is pointed and chamfered, stone flags continue into the nave. The interior is also simple, the walls thickly plastered and whitewashed. The north arcade of three bays has columns with plain moulded capitals and spurred square bases, pointed double-chamfered arches. Probably 17th/18th century roofs with tie-beams and king-posts disappearing into lath and plaster ceilings, exposed in the south-west corner.

There are plain mid-19th century benches and choirstalls with poppyheads, but also some earlier fittings. Small vestry at the west end of the north aisle with cupboards, tile floor. The floors mostly under carpet with the exception of the chancel, ledger slab in front of the communion rails in memory of Revd Edward Ellis (died 1805) and his wife Laurentia. Trefoil-headed piscina under the south chapel window, original but restored.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
ALTAR (late 17th / 18th century)
BELL (1 of 1)
FONT (COMPONENT) (late 12th or early 13th century)
LECTERN (19th century)
ORGAN (OBJECT) (19th century)
PULPIT (19th century)
REREDOS (19th century)
STAINED GLASS (WINDOW) (19th / 20th century)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

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Collapse Portable Furnishings and ArtworksPortable Furnishings and Artworks
BOOK (16th century - 19th century)

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SU 893 026

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this CCT Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this CCT Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this CCT Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has no evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this CCT Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this CCT Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this CCT Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

Moderate
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church has some landscape value, but the site is of potentially considerable significance, and should be considered within the wider landscape.
Fabric Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Low
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The Victorian furnishings and fittings are of local significance.
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Low
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
One church of three in the local area, the others being North Mundham St Stephen and Hunston St Leodegar.

Church Renewables

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the CCT Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 0
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 0
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the CCT Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the CCT Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the CCT Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the CCT Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this CCT Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 01 Sep 2022 13:20:05
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 01 Sep 2022 13:18:41
James MilesModified the Grid ReferenceMon 01 Apr 2019 10:36:47
James MilesModified the Grid ReferenceFri 29 Mar 2019 16:56:04
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Approximate DateTue 05 Sep 2017 14:36:28
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionThu 27 Apr 2017 16:01:01
Anna CampenAdded object typeThu 27 Apr 2017 15:56:00
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeThu 27 Apr 2017 15:54:55
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeThu 27 Apr 2017 15:54:37
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeThu 27 Apr 2017 15:51:15
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