The fight to save iconic South Downs church
April 9, 2025
The community is rallying round to save an iconic downland church dating back at least 1,200 years.
St Mary’s Church, set in an idyllic location at the end of a farm track in Bepton, stands as one of the remaining examples of Grade 1 listed church buildings in Sussex.
But its future hangs in the balance. Where the air was once filled with the sound of church bells, now stands decaying and damaged timber. Due to rot in the bell tower’s timber structure and a previous infestation of death watch beetle, the bells are no longer able to be used, having stood silent for more than 20 years. Meanwhile, damage to the roof has worsened.
Last year a small group of residents started the Friends of St Mary’s charity in a bid to raise the money needed to prevent further decay and restore the church to its former glory.
The group is encouraging people to visit the ancient site to find out more and a contactless payment device is situated in the church to help fundraise. A flower festival was due to take place this month, but it has now been postponed.
Darron Carver, a local historian working for the Weald and Downland Museum, believes that not only does the bell tower have Saxon origins, but that a tombstone in the knave could be that of a Templar knight.
Darron said: “As a historic building professional, I find the church exciting, with huge potential for future learning and discovery. I have recently established the ledger stone outside the vestry door is of Knights Templar origin. The associated sculpture used as an Easter Sepulcher has a French dedication to Rado de la Hedol and is of the early decorated period. This is of particularly fine craftsmanship and unusual for what would have been a small parish church on the edge of the Weald.”
Learn more at www.beptonchurchfriends.org
