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