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St Mary the Virgin. Aldingbourne
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Aldingbourne is one of the larger parishes in England, about 6 miles long and 2 miles wide, and contains Norton, Nyton, part of Fontwell, Westergate, Woodgate, Lidsey and Aldingbourne.
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Aldingbourne, mentioned in The Domesday Book, takes its name from 'Elda' a Saxon Chieftain, and means Elda's home by the stream; it is probable that the Rife which runs up to the back of the Church was originally navigable for Saxon boats. The Bishop's Palace stood in a large park roughly bounded by Nyton Road and Westergate Street, and included Mill Pond, which was kept well stocked with fish for the clergy!
The Palace was destroyed by Parliamentary Forces in 1642, but the remaining mound is still visible.
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It is evident that there were quite a few houses in the vicinity of the Church but after the Black Death in 1359 the people moved away to the next stream, the Rife, which now acts as the boundary between Eastergate and Westergate.
St.Mary's Church is a Grade I listed building, over 900 years old with an early English chancel; the aisle was rebuilt in 1868 when the chancel was restored. The Church has two fonts--the oldest is late Norman, being circular in shape and resting on a large central pillar. The nave is separated from the south aisle by an arcade consisting of four Early English arches. There is a side altar on the south side, St.George's Chapel, with a commemorative Roll of Honour.
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The window in the south wall of the Church by Christopher Webb is in memory of Admiral Sir Reginald Skelton, who accompanied Scott on his first voyage to the Antarctic.
St. Mary's Church has recently been the subject of a survey by NADFAS (The National and Decorative Fine Arts Society), and a copy of the document is held at the Church.
The Bell Tower houses five bells, and the ringers welcome visits from other bellringers, and also invitations to ring at other Churches. Contact The Parish Office for more details.
The Church seats approximately 200 people, and has a kitchen and toilet facilities.
A booklet "A Brief History of Aldingbourne" giving more historical details can be obtained by contacting The Parish Office.
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