Our Story
Every story has a beginning. This is ours…
Our Building and its History
It is difficult to know with certainty how old our church is and how long it has been a site of worship. The oldest part of the present church is the chancel, which is mostly C13th and has been dated to the time of Edward I (1272 – 1307). The first recorded Vicar was William in 1232 during the reign of Henry III (1216 – 1272).
Of note are the three original lancet windows which are characteristic of the simple early English architecture of the period. They are decorated with cowslips. In the centre is a tiny crucifix, which may be even earlier.
The church we see today was completed in the reign of Henry VIII. More recent work was undertaken by the Victorians who were responsible for the stained glass including work by C.E. Kempe, one of the finest of Victorian stained glass artists. More history of the Parish of Cowfold may be found from British History Online.
One of our greatest treasures is the Brass to Thomas Nelond measuring 3.1m x 1.3m. Thomas Nelond was the 26th prior of the Cluniac Priory of St. Pancras at Southover, Lewes. He died during the reign of Henry VI, on the 14th May 1432.
The figure of the prior measures 1.8m (5’10”). He is represented tonsured and wearing the monastic habit of his order. He is flanked on one side by St. Thomas à Beckett, the patron saint of the Prior and on the other by St. Pancras, the patron saint of the Priory. Above his head sits enthroned Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the Christ Child standing on her lap. Short petitions to each saint rise in scrolls from his praying hands.
It is thought that his memorial was removed during the dissolution of the Priory in 1537. How and why it came to Cowfold is something of a mystery. Further information is available from Lewes Priory Trust.
The brass may be viewed on certain open days, or by appointment with the Churchwarden at a mutually convenient time.
Stained Glass
The function of stained glass is to tell stories of Scripture, or to illustrate the lives of the Saints. In consequence, as a small child once put it, “a Saint lets in the light”. The ability to read stained glass depends first upon a knowledge of the Scripture, and that in turn can help to make the story more memorable.
We hope you like the stained glass that has been gifted to our church over the years. If you would like to read more detail about the Christian witness of the saints depicted, or indeed the donor families, please visit us and purchase a church guidebook.
Church Organ
An organ is used in worship chiefly to accompany singing of priest and congregation. It can add harmony to a melody line of a hymn or chant when the choir is absent. As church music has developed, particularly in the anthem, the organ has often been given a separate musical line, independent of the choir. The large repertoire of music that exists for the organ has often grown out of this accompanying role, with the embellishing of existing hymn tunes. Liturgically, it should be remembered that the organ is subordinate to the human voice, raised in prayer and praise.
Our organ is over 100 years old, and it was built in 1888 by the firm of Forster & Andrews of Hull. It was the gift to the church of Charles Bulkeley Godman (1849-1941), at a cost of £227. It was completely renovated by Kirkland in 1923, at which time the Swell octave coupler was added, and the pedal department was extended to a 30‑note compass, being given tubular-pneumatic action (enabling the 8-ft flute to be derived chiefly from the existing 16-ft bourdon pipes with minimal extra expense). The electric blower was fitted in 1947, as an alternative to the hand-pumped bellows, and subsequently the organ was completely overhauled and cleaned by Hill, Norman & Beard in 1967.
The organ has three different divisions: Great, Swell and Pedal. Each is independent and has its own character. The Great organ is the loudest. The Swell organ has pipes enclosed in a small ‘room’ with wooden louvres. Opening these louvres creates a crescendo – a ‘swell’ in the sound. The ratchet swell pedal is located at the right of the pedals, and is a simple open/closed lever. The Pedal keyboard provides the bass notes, and is sometimes used for solo effects. It can be coupled to either the Great or the Swell manuals, or work on its own.
These are the Organ’s Specifications:
| Swell Oboe 8ft Salicional 8ft Violin diapason 8ft Gemshorn 4ft Swell super * |
Great Open diapason 8 ft Stopped diapason 8ft Dulciana 8ft Principal 4ft Waldflöte 4ft |
Pedal Bourdon 16ft Flute 8ft (ext.) Couplers |
* The Swell super is not a speaking stop, but a coupler, which doubles up the notes of the stop being played an octave higher.
Church Bells
The function of stained glass is to tell stories of Scripture, or to illustrate the lives of the Saints. In consequence, as a small child once put it, “a Saint lets in the light”. The ability to read stained glass depends first upon a knowledge of the Scripture, and that in turn can help to make the story more memorable.
We hope you like the stained glass that has been gifted to our church over the years. If you would like to read more detail about the Christian witness of the saints depicted, or indeed the donor families, please visit us and purchase a church guidebook.
Brass to Thomas Nelond
The function of stained glass is to tell stories of Scripture, or to illustrate the lives of the Saints. In consequence, as a small child once put it, “a Saint lets in the light”. The ability to read stained glass depends first upon a knowledge of the Scripture, and that in turn can help to make the story more memorable.
We hope you like the stained glass that has been gifted to our church over the years. If you would like to read more detail about the Christian witness of the saints depicted, or indeed the donor families, please visit us and purchase a church guidebook.
