St Andrew & St Cuthman

St Cuthman was an 8th century Saxon saint who settled here, and founded the first church. Over the centuries he became special to Steyning: his name was added to the dedication of the church as recently as 2009. A modern sculpture of him was made to commemorate the millennium: he is looking across the road at his church. He is also depicted in several stained glass windows in the church: in one as a shepherd, in another as a builder, and in a third wheeling his invalid mother many miles to Steyning in a handcart, a colourful and extraordinary episode in the story of his life.

St Andrew & St Cuthman's has 12th century crafsmanship that is remarkably fine, even in a county where much good romanesque work has survived. Begun around 1080, on the site of a lost Saxon church, the original Norman building was cruciform, and nearly twice the size of the present building. It had transepts and a much longer chancel than the present 19th century one, as well as two extra bays at the west end of the nave, where the 16th century flint chequerwork tower now stands.

With its high roof, crossing tower and clerestory, it must have been an awesome building indeed. The earliest part that remains is that which now forms the chancel arch, immensely high and with decoratively carved capitals.

The surviving bays of the nave arcade, built around 1170'80, have truly exuberant carving on most of the arches and capitals, each one different, with no shortage of the customary zigzags and scallops as well as many less conventional motifs and designs that repay a really close look.