Hamsey – St. Peter’s church.

When turning off the A27 just outside Lewes at Offham you will note St. Peter’s church. However this is NOT the ancient St Peter’s at Hamsey a small hamlet a little further on. Drive along the road until you see a turn to the right – Ivors Lane. Turn and continue until you see a No Through sign just past the WW2 brick Pill Box. Continue along to the end where you will find the old church.

The remoteness of the building is due to the black plaque that decimated the ancient village inhabitants and drove survivors to resettle in Offham. Many of them still attended services at the old church that dates back to well before the Norman Conquest 1066, but in the mid 19^th century

 the rector wrote that the thriving attendance was threatened by the inconvenience to parishioners so far away, especially ill or disabled, in severe weather. It was decided that a new St. Peters be built at Offham and the old one demolished. Fortunately the latter event never occurred.

It gradually started to deteriorate and was finally saved in the 1920s by public subscription providing a wonderful atmosphere of a medieval church.

One cannot help but appreciate the siting of the building surrounded by Downland scenery. Many visitors are bemused by the size of the burial grounds; this is because it is still the parish burial ground and has expanded to the East of the church on ground that was once where the Manor House stood.

Services are still held on the first Sunday of the month from May – September and a very popular candle lit carol service is held every Xmas; be warned, there is no lighting or heating so take plenty of clothing and something soft to sit on. Music is performed by a string quartet at mass and throughout the summer months a number of concerts are performed to raise money for the church upkeep.

It is well worth getting the key as inside there a number of fascinating things to see, not least of all the ancient pews (15^th century) and the unusual “squint”. Stained windows date from the 14^th

century but the altar was built as a memorial to those killed in the world wars.

For further details of the church and to arrange for the key please contact –

Susan Rowland at 7, Offham Village, Lewes, E. Sussex BN7 3QA or Joe Staines at Rectory, Old Cottage, Hamsey. Alternatively, Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it