St Mary's Church, Westham, Norman parish church in Westham, England
St Mary's Church features flint walls with stone dressings and comprises a north aisle, south transept, chancel with north chapel, and west tower. The layout distributes worship and ceremonial functions across distinct sections within the building.
The church was founded in January 1300, with the south wall of the nave and transept containing elements from the late 11th century. These earlier components show that an older structure occupied the site before being reconstructed into its current form.
The church maintains an active band of bell ringers affiliated with the Sussex Country Association of Change Ringers, performing traditional English change ringing.
The church sits on High Street in Westham and serves a wide parish extending to Hankham, Rickney, and coastal areas between Pevensey Bay and Eastbourne. The location makes it easy to reach and the building acts as a focal point for multiple surrounding communities.
The church bells were cast in 1921 and tuned to G major, with the tenor bell bearing inscriptions honoring local bell ringers who died in World War I. These bells combine technical craftsmanship with a moving memorial to fallen members of the community.
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