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Tours > Sussex Churches > Icklesham
All Saints - Icklesham
TQ 881166; Two Miles West of Winchelsea
Standing next to the busy A259 Coast Road, Icklesham Church is
one of the gems of East Sussex. Its tall Norman tower of contrasting stonework
competes with the surrounding trees. It is not surprising to learn that there
has been a place of worship here since AD722. On entering the west door the eye
is taken by an impressive Norman arcade, through a wide Chancel arch into a long
and impressive chancel terminating in a Victorian five-light window. Of the two
aisles, the southern one is the most interesting for it retains its original
twelfth century windows. On the south side of the chancel is the Manor Chapel
built in the thirteenth century. Beautifully light it has impressive
contemporary wall arcading terminating in a delightful little piscina, although
it is by no means certain that they are in their original location.
The chapel
contains a memorial to Jack Merricks who died in 1970. The inscription composed
by a local poet was carved by one of the twentieth century's most highly
regarded sculptors, David Kindersley. The church was restored by that
redoubtable nineteenth century architect, S.S. Teulon and the gloopy font and
fantastic corbels that support the nave roof are of his unmistakable design.
Next Stop: East Guldeford
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