Ancient Templar Church Reopens After Many Years
A week of celebration is planned for the reopening of the ancient church of St Mary, Sompting. The church is well known as one of the best-preserved Anglo-Saxon churches in England. Thought to date from about 960 AD, it is also mentioned in the Domesday Book.
The church, which dates back to the 11th Century, has been closed for services for some years now. The August Celebration week will mark the beginning of regular services re-starting at the church once more.
Fr. Felix Smith, the new Vicar of St. Mary’s said: ‘we’re really looking forward to opening St. Mary’s up to the public once more. At one point the future of this ancient and beautiful church looked to be in doubt, but this Celebration Week marks a new beginning.
"We can now look forward to a brighter future, with regular services and events planned’.
The week starts on the 15th August at 5pm with a service of Evensong with the Bishop of Chichester. This is followed by free beer and Morris dancing in the church gardens.
Throughout the week the church will be open, with a flower festival and photograph exhibition for the public. There are many other events happening including talks on the history of the building, walks, concerts and a vineyard tour. Anyone can book into events during the Celebration Week on the website: www.somptingchurch.com
St. Mary’s will start with a regular service every 3rd Sunday of the month at 9am.
The church of St Mary, Sompting, is well known as one of the best-preserved Anglo-Saxon churches in England. Thought to date from about 960 AD, it is also mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, and was granted to the Order of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, otherwise known as the Knights Templar.