Built circa. 1170, the present church, as with many old buildings, is somewhat
larger than the original. The photograph is from the south looking to the
north.
St. Nicolas as seen from the south aspect
The lower part of the tower was built in the 13th century but did not receive
it's crenellation until the late 14th century. Portslade manor ruins lie just
behind the church from this angle and part of the wall of the manor served
as a wall for the church. This close proximity to the manor contributed to
the survival of the Portslade church, compared to the other local parish churches.
Dedicated to St. Nicolas, the church is in the early style of English architecture, and consists of a nave, chancel,
and south aisle, divided from the nave by gothic arches. In the south wall
of the chancel are three stone stalls with trefoil heads, under pointed arches
(see below), and of unequal level, where the officiating ministers retired
during parts of the service, performed by the choir. Next to the stalls on
the east side is a piscina.
This picture shows the view of the chancel with it's plain glass windows
The gallery is ornamented with a well-toned organ, the gift of the Rev.
Henry Hoper. The Chancel was added about 1250, which included the sedilia
and piscina. The pews are fairly modern as people stood for services with
few benches placed around the walls for the sick and aged. Hence the expression
"the weakest go to the wall". There are Norman capitals and mouldings
to see along with the Scrase brass which was moved here from west Blatchington
church when it was allowed to fall into ruins after being struck by lightning.
The main roof consists of heavy Horsham slabs and looks as if it has been
in place for centuries. In fact it has recently been repaired and strengthened.
Hubert de Burgh, Justiciary of England, gave the church of Portslade to the
cannons of St. Radegund, of Bradsole, that they might apply it to their proper
use, for the sustenance of themselves, and the poor pilgrims that resort there,
saving to Robert, the parson, and Robert, the vicar, their pensions as long
as they should live.
The charter is dated November 28th, 6th Henry III. Archbishop Juxon made
a liberal addition to several vicarages and curacies, in pursuance of certain
directions of King Charles II., for the making of new augmentations for increase
of maintenance to such vicars and curates whose ancient maintenance was not
sufficient for them; among the rest Portslade was augmented 16L. per annum.
The sedilia and piscina in the chancel
In 1632, the gift of and presentation to the rectory or church of Aldrington
belonged to the Lord of the Manor of Portslade, to whom also belonged all
wrecks of the sea happening between the west hedge of Aldrington, and the
ditch of Hove. In 1657, the parliamentary trustees leased to William Scrase,
of Buttolphs, gent. the tythes of Portslade rectory, parcel of the possessions
of the late Archbishop of Canterbury (except the tythes of the glebe) for
six years, he paying 76L yearly.
The arcades on the base of the font are 15th century, and the oak box in
the nave was made in 1756; it is a bible box from a Cumberland farm. A richly
coloured window has fine canopied figures of St. James and St. Luke, and a
picture of the Raising of the Daughter of Jairus. More beautiful still is
a window picture of St. Francis with his birds. It is in memory of a vicar,
and near it is a tablet to another vicar who died in Waterloo year after having
preached in this place for 50 years.
The register begins in 1666, the year of the Great Fire of London, in which
the parsonage of Hangleton was destroyed by a lightning strike, and the registers
of both Portslade and Hangleton were burnt. Since this period they are perfect.
Monumental Inscriptions
Rev. Ralph Clutton, vicar & rector of Horsted Keynes, ob. 1761
Elizabeth, his wife, ob. 1785
Rev. Ralph Clutton, his son, ob. 1772
Owen Clutton, Esq., ob. 1796
Elizabeth, his wife, ob. 1802
Abraham Edwards, ob. 1654
Thomas Cooke, gent., 1709
Thomas Cooke, gent., ob. 1742
Mary, his wife, ob. 1717
Catherine Cooke, ob. 1717
Elizabeth Anne Woodcock, ob. 1780
Henrietta Carpenter, ob. 1742
Parish of Portslade
Patrons:
1499 - Abbot & Convent of St. Radegunde
1562 - The Crown
1864 - Lady Amhurst
1880 - Lord Sackville
Vicars
1368 - Bernard
1415 - Thomas Legger - Rector of Worthe 1430 - exchange
1415 - John Westcote
1419 - Thomas Devonshire
1420 - Henry Tone
1444 - Thomas Thaker - resigned
1444 - John Dovere
1499 - Henry Kentte - died
1499 - John Gaithe
1505 - James Halforde
1510 - Robert Garton
1526 - Henry Horneby - Rector of Hangleton 1523
1562 - John Englisshe
1584 - Henry Englisshe - Rector of Hangleton 1584
1587 - Robert Johnnes A.M.
1598 - John Postlethwait A.B. - Rector of Kingston 1603
1607 - John Bridge A.M. - Rector of Hangleton 1613
1636 - Thomas White
1638 - Nathaniel Hancock A.M. - Rector of Southwick 1643
1662 - Robert Adams
1669 - John Temple - Rector of Hangleton 1660
1709 - John Littejohn
1722 - Ralph Clutton
1761 - John Clutton B.A. - Rector of Hangleton 1757
1815 - Henry Hoper M.A. - Rector of Hangleton 1815
1859 - Frederick G. Holbrooke - Rector of Hangleton with Hangleton annexed
1864
1880 - Charles A. Stevens M.A.
1899 - Vicars A. Boyle M.A. B.C.L.
1919 - Donald F. Campbell M.A.
1927 - Lubin S. Creasy M.A.
1928 - Noel E.C. Hemsworth M.A.
1933 - Ernest P.W. Holmes M.A.
1946 - Roland C. Desch M.B.E. A.K.C.
1948 - Ronald F.G. Adams A.K.C.
1962 - Victor R.D. Hellaby T.D.
1969 - Peter D.A. Campbell M.A.
1981 - Richard H. Rushforth M.A.
For more information on this church and much more, see the St.Nicolas website
at;
http://www.stnicolas.standrewportslade.btinternet.co.uk/
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