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Coombes
Church
Coombes
Church Has reopened
as we have been having repair work done. (see below)
Church service on 2nd Sunday of the
month 9.00
Easter
day service is at 8.45 in the morning
We
will also be having work done in 2008
April - October. So the church will have to be closed again then
If
you can help please send a donation to
Coombes
Church , Church farm, Coombes, Lancing,
Sussex BN15 0RS
We get extra help if you GIFT
AID IT .....Thank you
Coombes
Church is a Saxon church built in the 11th century and the chancel
was built in the 13th and 14th century. The dedication of the church
is unknown.
It
is famous for its Frescoes (murals), being some of the most important
in the country. They were made around 1087 with some, the most modern,
in 1753. These were whitewashed over and rediscovered in 1949. These
frescoes include 'The Nativity Cycle', 'The Lion of St Mark', 'Christ
giving the keys to Peter' and 'the journey into Egypt with the donkey
led by St Joseph'.
The
church had its own rector, who lived in the rectory across the field
until 1900. We now share a rector with North Lancing and hold regular
services. Rev' Roger
Russell
COOMBES CHURCH by Rev'
Roger Russell
Coombes Church is a little downland treasure. On the slope of the
Downs at Church Farm, it has served the people of this tiny parish
for nearly a thousand years. But now the church’s small congregation
and friends face a massive challenge to make sure it will continue
as a place of Christian worship and spiritual peace.
There are less than forty people living at Coombes, just sixteen
households. The parish shares a rector with Lancing, but is financially
independent and responsible for the up-keep and repairs of this
ancient church.
Investigative work has recently taken place leading to major repair
work to the bell-cote and western roof.
The bell-cote at the west end of the roof was constructed in the
early 18th century when the west end of the church was shortened,
perhaps after a collapse. It is thought that once there was a tower
at the west end. Over the centuries the weight of the bell-cote
has caused the roof to sag badly, and bell-cote has had to be shored
up.
The planned work will repair the roof at the west, re-build the
bell-cote, and repair and re-hang the bell.
The bell is the second oldest in Sussex, dated around 1150. It
is believed to have been made in Normandy.
It is our dear hope soon to hear it ring again.
The church also contains very important wall paintings of around
1100 depicting the gospel story of the birth of Jesus. Re-discovered
only in 1949, these are rare survivals from the time when our churches
were richly decorated, and taught the Gospel to those who could
not read through pictures.
The first phase of the work – the investigation – was
estimated by English Heritage at £40,461 (including VAT) towards
which English Heritage have granted us £25,000. The repairs
themselves are estimated at £184,428 (including VAT) towards
which they are offering £137,000. This grant is, of course,
dependent upon our being able to raise the balance.
So that still leaves a very considerable amount of money to be
raised by this tiny parish and congregation.
Morning Service, the Eucharist, is held on the second Sunday in
each month at 9.00 a.m., plus Christmas and Easter at 8.45 a.m.
Evening Service is usually on the fourth Sunday at 6.00 p.m. between
Easter and Harvest.
CAN YOU HELP
THIS LITTLE GEM OF A CHURCH?
The Rev’d Roger Russell, Rector,
The Vicarage
Manor Road
Lancing Tel: 01903 753212
Coombes Church Bell
Will you help the second
Oldest bell in Sussex to ring again? |
 |
 |
This bell - cast in France
around 1150 – needs
re .hanging; its turret has to
be rebuilt; and |
The end of the Church
Roof urgently needs
repairing.
The whole work will
cost nearly £200,000 |
 |
| |
English Heritage has promised
Us generous Help,
But we have to
raise a large sum ourselves |
| CAN YOU HELP ? |
|
| |
Send donations to Coombes Church, Church Farm, Coombes,
Lancing .Sussex BN15 0RS
We get extra help if you GIFT AID
IT .....Thank you |
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