SZ7798 : West Wittering - Church of SS Peter & Paul
taken 9 years ago, near to West Wittering, West Sussex, England
The church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in West Wittering dates from the C12th, the nave being from quite early 1100s while the Lady Chapel is from nearer to the end of that century. The following century saw the addition of the chancel and the tower, while the porch was not added until the C15th.
The tower contains a bell cage dated to about 1500.
Inside the church are a number of interesting things; most notable are two fine C16th monuments - either both are to William Ernley († 1545), or one may be to his first wife Elizabeth who died 17 years before him in 1528. The monument(s) to William were built by his second wife, Bridget. (For more details see the write-ups against the relevant photographs). These monuments are of the so-called Selsey style. (Selsey Bill is only a few miles away).
The church also contains a C13th marble slab with an incised crozier, usually denoting a bishop. It is thought that this was carved by masons from nearby Chichester Cathedral.
The oldest artifact in the church however, is undoubtedly the font, which is thought to date from Saxon times, making it over 1000 years old. There is also a gable-end cross (displayed in a case) which is thought to date from the earlier Saxon church which would have stood here.
The church is EH Grade I listed Link