History of Sindlesham in the Royal County of Berkshire
by David Nash Ford

S I N D L E S H A M

Conflict over Christian Worship

The church here was originally a chapel-of-ease. It was built by Robert of Sindlesham, in 1220, because he didn't think much of the muddy trip he had to take to the mother-church at Sonning. The Vicar of Sonning, however, protested for he lost all the revenue from his Sindlesham parishioners. The matter was eventually settled when Robert agreed that the chapel should only be used for himself, his family and servants. The peasants would have to walk to Sonning.

An old story tells how 'Devil's Island,' in the Loddon near Sindlesham Farm, got its name. The place was once joined to mainland an cultivated by a local farmer. However, one day he was busy haymaking when his wagon and horses completely disappeared. They had been drawn into the river by the Old Nick himself!