Greatham

Sitting a safe distance from the unpredictable waters of the River Arun, Greatham Church was built in the 11th century and unusually, it isn't dedicated to any one saint.

Greatham Church stands next to the village's splendid Manor House, which dwarfs it, and is one of of many charming West Sussex churches which seem out of place, being so far away from any significant settlement.

Greatham village itself is absolutely tiny.

You can tell how small the population of Greatham is from the sign at the church gate (below) - there are two services a month!.

The church shares its vicar with the lovely neighbouring churches at Parham, Amberley and Wiggonholt with Greatham having to wait its turn for the vicar's attentions.

Greatham Church itself seems to have been built by the eleventh century equivalent of cowboy builders. There's hardly a right angle in sight. Even so, the church has lasted over 900 years, which is about 800 years longer than most buildings conforming to modern building regs will do.

Like many remote churches in West Sussex, Greatham Church has no electricity and so services are sometimes candlelit.

There was a minor skirmish during the Civil War at Greatham Bridge half a mile to the west if the church. A handful of parliamentarian soldiers were killed during the fighting and it is believed that the soldiers were buried in the churchyard, but without the dignity of being placed in coffins. Worthing Museum contains some cannonballs which were found at Greatham and which were presumably left over from the same battle.

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Sign at Greatham - a small village in West Sussex

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