All Saints & St Nicholas

Icklesham church according to ‘101 Medieval Churches of East Sussex’ is one of the top two but fails a perfect score due to its setting. Hopefully this has now been addressed to a degree with cut back of shrubs opening the church up to be seen fully in its tranquil setting.

A place of worship has been recorded on the site of Icklesham church since 772AD. The dedication All Saints was a Saxon favourite and may well predate the present church which is very old. It is 11th century with additions made between the 12th and 14th century. The oldest part of the church is the tower where shutter marks can be seen in the stairway and are estimated 1,000 years old. The tower is three staged with a vaulted stone roof dated about 1200.

The church is entered via a hexagonal porch, which is not original porch and was replaced in the Victorian era. On entering first impressions are of a totally Norman church with rounded arches supported off large pillars each with uniquely carved tops. The aisles are Norman originals, the south aisle still retains the 12th century windows. The church dimensions are uncommon, the chancel which was rebuilt in the 13th century is longer than the nave and the St Nicolas chapel to the south is quite large.

Restoration was carried out in the early 19th century and has added much to the church. The east window and spectacular font are from this time. It is thought the St Nicolas chapel was built at the same time as the rebuilding of the chancel. It contains an interesting blind arcade containing Caen stone shafts which may have come from the original chancel.

On the wall of the north aisle are benefaction boards considered the best in Sussex. These record gifts to the poor, such as land and rents and give an insight into medieval life. There is a drawing of the church dated 1805 in the British Museum and the yew tree in front is now in the Yew Tree Register.