St Mary's Church, Slaugham

St Mary's Church in Slaugham is a stone church crowned by a square tower with a distinctive Sussex cap and reinforced by diagonal buttresses along its walls. The south aisle was constructed from local sandstone and displays architectural elements from different building periods.

The north wall and narrow doorway date back to the early 12th century, representing the oldest parts of the structure. Major expansions took place during the 13th and 14th centuries, transforming the building into its current form.

The Covert Chapel from 1613 features intricate carved stone wall-tombs depicting family members, showing how important memorials were to people of that era. The chapel's detailed craftsmanship reveals the skill devoted to creating these lasting tributes within the church.

Plan your visit on a weekday or early Saturday morning when the church is less crowded and you can explore the architecture at leisure. The interior can be dimly lit, so bringing a flashlight or using your phone's light will help you see the details of the tombs and carvings.

The churchyard preserves the burial site of Catherine Matcham, sister of Lord Nelson, alongside a collection of historical table-tombs from the 17th century. These graves stand as remarkable records of family history and show how the deceased were honored in this rural setting.