St Barnabas

The church is Norman and of great interest with its central tower which was built in 1160. There is a chancel, west gallery over vestry (foreshortened nave) north and south transepts and porches. The tower walls are of reused Roman brick quoins Septaria, iron stone conglomerate and flint, French lime stone and round columns to the belfry windows with modelled faces to the spandrels. The walls of the body of the church are coursed and random split flintwork, lime stone dressings and quoins with dark Roman cement (plastic stone) cappings and string on the north transept.

The early 14th century chancel is a fine example of decorated architecture. It is strengthened by buttresses and has three double windows on the north and south sides. The priest’s doorway on the south side has its hood mould carved with fleurons, foliage and ball flower ornament and rests upon worn corbel heads.

The five light east window completes this chancel and is flanked by interesting corbels. The north transept has a fine three light mid 14th century window with distinctive and very beautiful tracery. Its counterpart in the south transept matches the chancel windows and the east window of this transept is in the perpendicular style of the late 14th century.

Major intervention occurred in 1828: The nave was foreshortened and the gallery and vestry created against the west side of the tower, pitched transept and porch converted to flat roofs, doors and frames were renewed. The aisle roofs were shortened to create the north and south porches.

There are eight bells in the tower. The early 15th century octagonal font is in near perfect condition. The church ‘Armada’ chest is of great interest and the altar is a 17th century communion table.

When you leave the church see if you can find the ‘vertical sundial’ on one of the buttresses