Midhurst, St Mary Magdalene & St Denys Church

St Mary Magdalene and St Denys Church, Midhurst

Sometime in the early years of the 13th century, the De Bohun lords of Midhurst Castle built a chapel within the castle grounds.

The castle was destroyed after the De Bohun family built Cowdray House on the plain below, but the chapel was allowed to remain to serve the townsfolk of Midhurst, though the church remained officially a chapel of ease to Easebourne Priory until the priory was suppressed in 1536.

14th-century wall painting

History

The earliest part of the church dates to the first years of the 13th century, though only the base of the tower remains from that period. The church was heavily rebuilt in 1422 with a south aisle added in the 16th century.

The original dedication was to St Mary Magdalene, but in the Tudor period this was extended to include St Denys, possibly in recognition of the De Bohun family's close connection to France.

The church as we see it today is the result of restoration in 1882 under the Diocesan Surveyor, LW Ridge. Ridge raised the nave and inserted a north aisle to echo the design of the earlier south aisle.

Queen Anne royal coat of arms

Historical Highlights

• 13th-century font
• 16th-century pulpit
• 13th-century parish chest
• Queen Anne royal coat of arms

The plainly-carved font dates to the 1200s and is topped by an 18th-century wooden cover.

The timber pulpit is Victorian but it incorporates carved panels dating to the Tudor period. The wooden parish chest that may date to the 13th century and the royal coat of arms is from the reign of Queen Anne. In the tower is an early-18th-century pendulum clock. This has an unusual two-second click.

Joan Browne memorial, 1584

The oldest memorial in the church is on the east wall of the south chapel and is to Joan Browne (d. 1584). Curiously, the memorial shows two kneeling men, but no effigy of the deceased.

The stained glass is 19th and early-20th centuries and features excellent examples of work by two of the most famous stained glass designers of the period, CE Kempe and the firm of Burlison and Grylls.

The Curfew Bell

Tradition tells us that many years ago, a commercial traveller was lost on North Heath. The sound of Midhurst's curfew bell guided him through dense forest to safety and, in gratitude, he gave a plot of land to the church on the condition that the bell be rung every day at 8 p.m. This tradition is still carried out today.

The plot of land, known as the Curfew Garden, is opposite the town council office on Knockhundred Row, a short stroll from the church.

The 13th-century font

Southampton Chapel

This chapel was built to serve as the final resting place of William, Earl of Southampton, but he died in 1542 before construction had begun. The Earl's estate passed to Sir Anthony Browne, the 1st Viscount Montague of Cowdray, and it was he who completed the chapel.

The Viscount was buried in a family vault beneath the chapel in 1592, and memorials to his family erected. These memorials were moved to Easebourne church in 1851.

13th-century parish chest

In the chapel are two chests. The oldest is from the 13th century and bears the scallop shell design indicating a crusader, or pilgrim.

In February 1943 a bomb explosion destroyed the east window. The present east window was installed to replace it in 1949. It features a design depicting both civilian and military figures drawing inspiration from the Risen Christ.

Visiting

There is limited parking on Church Hill, so if you are arriving by car, we suggest using the car park at the leisure centre, off Grange Road, and walking the short distance to the church.

The church was open when we visited.