St Mary de Haura Church, Shoreham-by-Sea, Norman church in Shoreham-by-Sea, England.
St Mary de Haura is a Norman church in Shoreham-by-Sea built with pale stone and flint construction, featuring a tall crossing tower, transepts, and a large chancel with side aisles. The building displays a balanced layout typical of late Romanesque design, with sturdy walls and clear spatial divisions.
The church was founded around 1096 by William de Braose, First Lord of Bramber, to serve the new settlement developing at the River Adur estuary. This foundation marked the start of centuries of religious and social importance for the growing harbor community.
The church serves as the spiritual center of the community, where locals gather for Sunday services and traditional celebrations throughout the year. These regular gatherings have shaped how residents understand and connect with the place's role in their lives.
The church is located just 250 meters from the train station and offers accessible facilities with nearby parking and restrooms. Visitors will find it easy to reach by foot or public transport while exploring the town center on foot.
The building features original stone imported from Caen in Normandy, brought specifically for its construction, and retains much of its original 12th-century Norman structure. These imported stones and their craftsmanship reveal the high-quality construction techniques used for important churches of that era.
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