St Nicholas, Fyfield

From a personal point of view, this Church has family connections as my Grandfather was Rector here during the latter part of WWII and my great grandparents are buried in the Church yard (say hello to Mary Ann and Stephen Cummin if you notice them).

The parish church of St Nicholas  consists of nave, north and south aisles, chancel, central tower, north porch, and organ chamber. The nave and the first stage of the tower are mostly of flint rubble with some Roman brick. The second stage of the tower is largely of red brick. There is a timber belfry. The exterior of the church is mostly covered with cement, numerous buttresses of the 18th and 19th centuries show where weaknesses have developed in the structure. The building differs in several respects from the type of parish church found in the district. The 12th-century plan with the tower standing 'cathedralwise' is unusual, and it is evident that large sums were spent on improvements during the 13th and 14th centuries. The chancel in particular has some good interior features.

The nave was built in the 12th century. The walling at each end of the two arcades is 3 ft. thick and is evidently the original 12th-century work. The lower part of the tower is of the same date, including the large stair turret on the north side reaching to the second stage. The stair has a circular newel of Roman brick and there are arches of Roman brick to the round-headed windows in the south and west walls of the second stage of the tower. The former window has been blocked by brickwork and the latter opens into the roof space above the nave. There is one very small rectangular opening in the north wall of the stair turret, and there are two in the east wall.

The chancel was built about 1330-40. The date can be fixed approximately by the detail of the interior. All the windows are of the 14th century and have moulded labels and head stops.

The second stage of the tower has been largely rebuilt in red brick and a window inserted on the north side. Above the brickwork is a hipped roof, above which is a square weather-boarded belfry with ball finials at the corners. There is a small boarded spire. The west wall of the nave may have been rebuilt in the 18th century..

There are six bells, all modern or recast. One was originally of the 15th century, recast twice. The sixth, which is inscribed 'Salus et Victoria', was added as a war memorial and was dedicated in 1952.

Under the organ on the north side of the chancel there is said to be a slab bearing the indent of a foliated cross, flanked by square pennons or axes.  There is a tradition that this covers the headless body of Henry, Lord Scrope, beheaded in 1415.

The cache

You’re looking for a 35mm film canister. The cache has a log book but no pen so please bring one with you.  

Church Micro Series

If any body would like to expand to this series please do, could you please let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.