St Nicholas' Church, West Itchenor, Medieval parish church in West Itchenor, England
St Nicholas' Church is a medieval stone building whose walls are built from flint, comprising a chancel and nave that narrow toward the western end. A shingled bell-turret topped with a spire rises above the entrance.
The church was founded in 1175 when Hugh Esturmy gained permission from Bishop John of Greenford to build a chapel at this location. Over the centuries it has continued to serve the community and remains in active use today.
The bells within the church include one cast in 1530, and they are rung using both traditional swing methods and hand chiming with equipment added in 1988. These bells call worshippers to services and mark the passing seasons in the village calendar.
The church is open regularly and maintains services as part of the Chichester Harbour network of local churches serving the combined parish. Visitors should check access times beforehand, as the building may only be open during services or special occasions.
Inside the church stands an octagonal baptismal font from the 13th century, supported by four stone shafts and displaying the skill of medieval stonemasons. This carefully crafted piece is a rare example of such detailed work surviving from that era.
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