The Parish Church Of St Paul

The Parish Church of St Paul is a Grade II* listed parish church located in Elsted. The church has origins in the 11th and 12th centuries, with significant work done in the 13th century, as well as rebuilding in 1872 and again from 1951 to 1953, overseen by architect J E M MacGregor. The structure is built of rubble and ashlar with tiled roofs, comprising a nave, chancel, and south porch. The nave collapsed in the 19th century and was reconstructed between 1951 and 1953, with only the north wall and part of the west wall remaining from the original structure, featuring Saxon herringbone stonework. The church has 13th-century breast windows that are set in blocked 12th-century arcade openings. The rebuilt sections of the nave and porch are made of coursed rubble and have a rather plain appearance. The chancel dates from the 13th century, although the north and east walls were cased in flint in 1872, while the south wall remains original and is now covered in Roman cement. Most of the windows are from the 13th century, with the exception of one Perpendicular window. Inside, there are two blocked Norman arcade openings in the Saxon north wall, which were filled in during the 13th century when the aisle was removed. The chancel features a 12th-century chancel arch and a crown post roof.