A couple of miles from Uckfield in East Sussex lies the small village of Framfield. You’ve come across it in a previous article enthusing about its fabulous historic pub, the Hare & Hounds. The village itself is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1087 as Framelle and, as you might expect from such an ancient enclave, it has an equally historic church, St Thomas à Beckett.
The earliest recorded mention of a church on this site was in 1190, when it was listed in the Taxatio Ecclesiastica (a survey of church property and income commissioned by Pope Innocent III). However, it’s widely thought that there’s been a church of sorts on the site of since Saxon times. The present church is mainly of 13th century construction, at this time, the church was dedicated to St Thomas à Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in 1170 and later canonised as a saint and martyr. Framfield’s church was therefore one of the earliest in the country to be named after the canonised saint.
The church interior has an intimate, welcoming atmosphere with wooden pews facing towards the stone altar.
There is also an impressive octagonal font thought to date from the early 16th century and a plaque commemorating villagers who died during World Wars I and II.
As with most churches, it is now made up of parts added throughout its life. The Hempstead Chapel, now the vestry and organ chamber housing a well-maintained and very impressive church organ – a two manual instrument with 22 stops, still in use – is the earliest part, dating from around 1200 with windows of note from this period set in the north and east walls and an arched external door.
Like most old structures, the church has suffered set-backs such as a fire in 1509 which destroyed the remaining wooden parts, including the north porch. During rebuilding, the height of the nave was increased and extra windows added to allow more light into the church interior. It’s noticeable to this day how much brighter Framfield church is compared to many of its ilk.
Shortly after a Sunday service in 1667, the church tower collapsed, bringing down the six bells it housed. Although the wall was made good fairly soon thereafter, the tower was not immediately replaced and the cracked bells rested at the back of the church for over 100 years.
A new tower was eventually built in 1891 and two bells recast from one of the originals were hung. Throughout the village, we still hear them ringing for worship on Sundays. An interesting feature of the tower is a 14th century window that was found in the garden of the Vicarage. It can now be seen set in the wall above the west doorway.
Further restorations were carried out at this time since the church was closed for construction of the tower. Pews, flooring and plasterwork were replaced and repaired and windows reglazed. Today, the church is very well kept and has a good team of volunteers who work diligently to keep it in good order.
The exterior presents a classic vision of grey stone and tiled roof. The churchyard spans a little over 2 acres, mostly laid to grass, containing many mature trees and, again, wonderfully maintained by volunteers. In particular, two ancient yew trees shelter some of the older gravestones. The whole area is a haven for insects and wildlife.
For those who like to peruse graves seeking out the oldest, you’ll find it an impossible task. The most ancient stones, many of which have sunk or even been relocated from their original location, are covered in lichen and their inscriptions long surrendered to the elements. On my latest visit I was able to make out one for a 19 year-old who died in 1794.
When I first visited, I paid particular attention to the horizontal slab covering Guy Vernon Baxendale who resided in the house where I now live. Guy shares my birthday – albeit in 1884, a few years before my mortal arrival. I noticed that over the last 20 years, it’s become more difficult to make out the writing despite the high relief in which it’s sculpted.
Guy’s father, Francis Hugh Baxendale, was a Justice of the Peace and Church Warden. There is a marble tablet dedicated to him on the right-hand wall inside the church as you look toward the altar. The aforementioned still-functioning organ was a gift from the Baxendale family in 1900. The Baxendale family owned Pickfords Removals.
The church holds Sunday services with tea served afterwards and is also utilised for weddings, christenings and funerals for local families. It provides a tangible link to the past in this rural English village where, for countless generations, residents have gathered for worship and community in this historic setting. The church is a cherished landmark and its long, evolving history continues to be written.
Well worth a visit, I’m please to report it’s open every day although winter and summer opening hours change so check the website before visiting. Be sure to fit in lunch at the Hare & Hounds pub across the road and you’ll then be welcome to use the pub car park.
https://www.framfieldchurch.org.uk/index.html
