This little church of Saxon origins lies in the back of beyond a few miles from Hawkley and close to a large and impressive Manor House. It has no dedication and has had a chequered history being attached to Southwick Priory in medieval times. By the mid nineteenth century it was in a deplorable state with rotting 9 inch pews and toads living in the chancel. But it was restored in 1857 at a cost of £194 and today is well cared for despite the lack of parishioners.
The attractive wood shingled three sectioned belfry tower peeps out behind an enormous yew tree which looms over the entrance gate and church path. Some 24 feet in circumference and gnarled with age it is estimated to be at least 1300 years old, possibly dating from the time the first Saxon church was built.
The manor of Colemore was granted to Southwick Priory and confirmed by a charter of King Richard in 1198. At the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538 Henry VIII granted the manor first to Anne of Cleves and later to Katherine Howard. The name ‘Priors Dean’ came about because the manor of Dean was included with Colemore in a charter of King John, which confirmed the holdings of Southwick Priory.
Now for the cache
According to the notice King John gave the Chapel to Southwick in ABCD
It was given to Catharine Howard in AEFA on her marriage to Henry VIII.
It was first restored in AGEH
The cache can be found at
N51 03.(A+E)(A+G)(F+B) W000 57.H E (D+B)
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication
To view the church micro stats page, please click here