History-theChurchofSt Mary'sYapton

By Allen Misselbrook, Yapton & Ford local history

This month I am turning my attention to our Church of St Marys at Yapton, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. As you will appreciate, I can only touch on its history in this short article.

Bells after the fire in the Belfry 1909 (Fletcher)

It lies in the old part of the village, on the corner where Church Road meets Church Lane. The church was completed around the year 1230 but there is evidence that part of it is Saxon in origin, suggesting that there was an earlier, Saxon church on the site. The most striking feature to the casual observer is the leaning bell tower, caused possibly, it has been suggested, by the hanging of the first two bells. It was recommended that buttresses should be built to prevent the tower from collapsing. This was duly carried out in the 14th century and again in the 16th century using brick and re-used Caen stone. Two more bells were added in the early 18th century. Early one morning in March, 1909, the Bell Tower caught fire. The Churchwarden raised the alarm and the fire brigade from Arundel was sent for but by the time it arrived the villagers had the fire under control. The four bells had to be re-cast but the rim of the 14th century bell carrying an inscription was saved and now hangs, acting as a Candelabrum, from a beam in the entrance of the Chancel. Today the tower contains its full complement of six bells. The entrance, on the west end of the church, is through a 14th century porch which is constructed from timber, flints and bricks with a tiled roof. Passing through into the Nave, on the left-hand side,

stands a Saxon Font, possibly dating back to the original Saxon church. Either side of the Nave are arcades, the North one is supported by four arches while the South one is supported by three. On closer inspection it will be seen that the Capitals on the north Arcade are carved while their southern counterparts are incomplete. It is speculated in some quarters that after Chichester Cathedral was burnt down in 1187, the Stonemasons working on Yapton Church were called away to help with the rebuilding and they never returned. Scratched into the outside of the walls traces of ten Scratch or Mass Dials can be seen. This predate the invention of clocks and their purpose was to give the times for Services. Improvements were carried out over time, such as in 1765 the Pulpit only to be replaced again in 1905. 1872 saw the old pews being removed to be replaced with higher ones which still remain today. In 1870 the rest of the church was restored and there has been more essential work carried out since to ensure this Grade 1 listed building survives for future generations. To contact Allen Misselbrook on a local history Saxon font matter please email: allen@yaptonhistory.org.uk

Yapton church in springtime c2018