Parish Church Of St John The Baptist

The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, dating from the 15th and 19th centuries, was originally a Chapel of Ease for the parish of Slaugham. It is constructed of Sussex limestone and features Horsham slab roofs, except for the chancel which is tiled. The south wall of the nave, the nave roof, and some carvings are from the 15th century. The west tower, built in 1807 using older materials, is three stages high and has three late medieval carved figures under canopies. The north aisle, north porch, north vestry, and organ chamber were added, and the chancel was rebuilt during a general restoration by architect Woodyer in 1879-80. The nave roof from the 15th or early 16th century includes tie-beams, collars with curved braces, and an inscription that reads, "Man you wele bewar, for worldly good makyth man mynde. Bewar be for for whate comyth be hynde." In the north wall of the chancel, there is a 14th-century carved stone with three cusped canopies, likely part of a stone reredos. A 15th-century doorway on the south side of the chancel arch provided access to a roof loft stair. The church features a 13th-century marble font with an octagonal bowl supported by a central drum and four surrounding shafts, an early 17th-century oak pulpit set on a modern stone base, and early 18th-century altar rails. There are also brass inscriptions commemorating William Blast (died 1438) and a woman from the early 16th century. The churchyard contains two notable 18th-century limestone headstones adorned with cherubs, flowers, snakes, and heavenly trumpet motifs.