Tracing the history of St Mary Magdalene church through the centuries
Here in the parish of Sedlescombe with Whatlington, we are fortunate to have two beautiful and historic places of worship to enjoy.
St Mary Magdalene church in Whatlington is believed to date back to around 1200AD and was restored by the Victorians in 1862. The church suffered a serious fire in 2010 which resulted in much of the Victorian restoration being lost. However, an award-winning restoration project has returned the building to a more original layout.
The Church and grounds through the ages
Origins, the Domesday Book and to 13th Century
There is some reason to believe that there has been a church on this site since Saxon times, a Yew tree which fell in 1987 was carbon dated to pre Conquest and Pevsner describes the building as 11th to 13th century. The Manor of Whatlington was held by King Harold II and it may have been here that our last Saxon King heard Mass before the fateful battle in 1066..
14th and 15th Centuries
Our 13th century church suffered a serious fire on 15th July 2010, this swept away most of the heavy Victorian restoration. The award winning restoration overseen by our architect Richard Andrews, of Carden & Godfrey has returned the building to a more simple interior style. We have toilet facilities, underfloor heating, a sound system and hearing loop, a kitchen and free standing comfortable pews!
Recent History
The building returned to use at the end of 2013 and now offers a warm and friendly welcome with modern facilities in a characterful medieval building. The church has a roof frame which has been Dendron dated to 1275, one of the oldest in the area, this has been exposed during the restoration after being hidden since the 1860's. The restored building has a new West window, along with a glass balustrade to the new gallery and a new Nave window complete with the Royal Coat-of Arms to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee, these are all by Mel Howse and well worth seeing.
The church restoration won a Sussex Heritage Trust Award in July 2014 and has been given a commendation by English Heritage in their Angel Awards.
Donations
A donation of any amount to St Mary Magdelene church helps keep this beautiful 13th(?) century Grade II listed building well maintained and secure for future generations.
Thank you.
Further Information and reading
For more information about St Mary Magdalene church, including photographs, video footage and news, please visit the Facebook site by clicking here.
