1 Preamble
2 Memorials 3
Stonework 4
Woodwork
5 Textiles 6
Paintings & Documents 7
Windows
8 Organ, Clock & Porch Floor
9 Library, Information & References
Return to Chiddingly Church home page
The NADFAS Record of Church Furnishings 2003 by the Uckfield DFAS Church Recorders Group was commenced in 1997 and presented to the Reverend Peter Clark, Rector of the United Benefice of Chiddingly and East Hoathly, on 30th November 2003.
The following pages are a very much edited and selective version of the full NADFAS record of Chiddingly Church. To see the full version contact Chiddingly Churchwarden Peter Clerehugh. NADFAS is the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies.
NADFAS owns the copyright of the NADFAS Chiddingly record.
The dedication of the church is unknown. The building is of local sandstone and dates from about 1260, pieces of Norman masonry being discovered in the foundations in 1864. The 3-bay nave arcades were added in about 1360. The single pitched roof is also 14th century, and is now covered in hand-made clay tiles. There are several 15th century windows, while the aisles have 13th century lancets. There are only two stained glass windows, both 19th century, the east window being dedicated to the Reverend James Vidal, the other (attributed to Powell) commemorates John Day of Uckfield. The total height of the tower and stone spire is 130 feet and are presumed to have been added in the early 15th century.
The 18th century box pews and pulpit still remain intact, while the oak eagle lectern is a piece of vigorous 20th century carving. There are fine monuments, the largest and most distinguished being the alabaster Jefferay monument, 1612, and the tablet of alabaster of William Jefferay, d. 1611 and his wife. There are also slate ledger slabs set in the floor. The font was brought from a derelict church at South Heighton and given a new pedestal. It was relocated in 1894.
The chancel was modernised in 1864, where the only trace of medieval work remaining is the trefoil-headed piscine in the South wall. Some floor slabs in the chancel were covered over at this time.
The old church registers and records are now deposited in the East Sussex County Record Office (ESRO) in Lewes and other records in West Sussex County Record Office in Chichester. This record has been sponsored by The Uckfield Decorative and Fine Arts Society.
East Sussex Record Office, The Maltings, Castle Precincts, Lewes
BN7 1YT
Tel: 01273 482349 Fax: 01273
482341
The County Archivist, West
Sussex Record Office, County Hall, Chichester, West Sussex PO19
1RN
Tel : 01243
753600 Fax :
01243 533959
The following have taken part in the compilation of the original Record:
Memorials Ron Giddens and Jill Ford
Metalwork Donald Coomber and Muriel Ballan
Stonework Rhyva Holder, Peter Holder and Nancy Whitworth
Woodwork David Bennett, Ron Giddens and Monica Giddens
Textiles Rhyva Holder, Peter Holder and Nancy Whitworth
Paintings, etc. Clare Robinson and Jim Thome
Library Jill Ford
Windows Clare Robinson and Jim Thome
Miscellaneous Members of the team
Group Leader Ron Giddens and Jill Ford
Typist Muriel Ballan
Terminology is mostly as used from Inside Churches - A Guide to Church Furnishings published by NADFAS 1993 and Recording a Church: Illustrated Glossary by Thomas Cocke, Donald Findlay, Richard Halsey and Elizabeth Williamson, published by the Council of British Archaeology, 1996.