Church Of St Peter And St Paul

The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a building of group value, dating to the 12th century with substantial additions and alterations in the 13th and 15th centuries. The chancel was largely rebuilt in 1838 following the collapse of the central tower, which was then reconstructed by Robert Ebbels. The church is constructed of Weald sandstone rubble, with dressed sandstone on the buttresses and galleted blocks on the transepts and chancel, and has Horsham slab roofs topped by a short, wood-shingled broach spire on the tower. The plan is cruciform, arranged around the central tower.

The exterior features a corbel table beneath the tower eaves, with clasping, offset buttresses at the angles, and diagonal buttresses in the re-entrant angle between the nave and transepts. The upper stage of the tower has simple two-light, round-headed openings with round-headed relieving arches and cushion-capital mullions. Trefoil windows are above three lancets on the ends of the transepts, featuring deep reveals and offset buttresses. Lancet windows are set into the north transepts, while a 15th-century Perpendicular style window is located on the south side. A crucifix sits on the chancel gable, with a re-cut 19th-century Perpendicular style window below. Single arched windows with hexagonal and diamond-pane tracery are set into the north and south sides of the chancel respectively. A large Perpendicular style window is featured on the south side of the nave, with a similar window above the porch on the west end. Three paired, round-arched windows are on the north side, the central one set in a square surround. A vestry has been added to the west, featuring 19th-century bargeboards. The gabled porch to the west has ogee and scalloped bargeboards. The south door dates from the early 12th century, with large jamb shafts, big scalloped capitals, and a thick order to the arch with double roll moulding running into the imposts. It is considered, by Nikolaus Pevsner and Richard Nairn, to be the finest example of Norman decoration in Surrey, although possibly altered in the 19th century. Further doors are situated on the west sides of the transepts.

The interior is simple, with a tiled floor and a three-bay crown post roof to the nave, and a three-bay chancel roof with a moulded wall plate. Hexagonal tiles cover the chancel floor. The crossing arches are of rubble stone, with continuous double chamfers. Notable fittings include handsome late 17th-century altar rails, originally from Baynards Park, and a Jacobean pulpit with arcaded oak sides and carved borders. The font has a tapering bowl of square section, with a renewed stem and plinth and decorated with St Andrew’s Crosses and chevrons.