The Pelham Buckle
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History of Our Churches
History of Our ChurchesThe Church in Ripe, St John the Baptist, was built in the decorated and perpendicular styles, the earlier parts being the nave and the south porch. The exact date of the construction of the church, like that of its neighbour St Bartholemew, Chalvington is not know. Local tradition is that Chalvington was first constructed on land belonging to Michaelham Priory. Rype church, being on land owned by St Pancreas (yes pancreas)! Priory Lewes, was later built on a grander scale to outdo the Michaelham Priory monks. St Bartholemews, Chalvington St Bartholemews, Chalvington is a small rural church built in the late 13th Century decorated style with chancel, nave and a shingle steeple. The portrayal of Thomas Abeckett on the south window above the pulpit suggests that the church may have originally been dedicated to him. The North porch is modern although the old doorway remains, decorated with sculptured human heads like the window beside it. The church was mainly constructed from flint with stone quoins. In 1999 some plaster was removed to reveal the remains of the south door on which there is a scratch dial showing the times of the mass. Inside, behind a beam, Peter Robinson found a small Elizabethan shoe sole which, according to the experts, had been hidden there for luck when the church was built. It was later replaced by Peter. The three bells inscribed 1609, 1609 and 1639 were renovated and rededicated in 1993. In 1974 Margaret Andrews promoted the work of restoration of the chancel. The Victorian choir stalls were removed and a new flagstone floor was laid. Most of the windows are plain glass in this simple and unique church. St John The Baptist, Ripe The Ripe and Chalvington church register started in 1538 and Ripe's original paper registers are preserved in the County records office. The advowson of Ripe church was presented to the St Pancreas priory, Lewes in 1100. The church is set on the edge of the village at Eckington Corner and is approached by an avenue of trees. Many of these had to be removed from the pathway after the storm of 16 October 1987, which did more damage to Chalvington and Ripe than two world wars. The Old Rectory lies to the right with Eckington Manor opposite. Further along is Church farm, and the Hayton Baker Hall abuts the churchyard. The church remained in the possession of Lewes Priory until the dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. Ripe then passed to Thomas Cromwell who was also responsible for the downfall of Lewes Priory. St John the Baptist Church is built of knapped flint and sandstone and has a square tower, which contains five bells cast in 1717 and since recast in 1887 and 1961. There is a fine clock, which was installed in 1898 as a memorial to the Reverend Shuttleworth Sutton. The clock was rededicated in 1998 when Jim Beckingham was given a painting of the tower in recognition of the fact that he had wound the clock twice a week since 1958. He has been Church Warden almost continuously for 42 years. The nave and the south porch date from the late 13th century. The chancel is perpendicular and has windows on the north and south side and a great east window. On either side of the west door is a carving of an inverted Pelham Buckle. This was an honour granted to John de Pelham for his part along with Roger de la Warre in the capture of the King of France at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. The beautiful west window has three cinquefoiled lights and perpendicular tracery. The south porch has a fine arch leading to an identical inner arch. On the right inner jamb is a votive cross and on the left jamb is another cross, attached to a rough shield on which is a chevron between three Pelham Buckles. The buttress to the east of the porch has the remains of a mass dial. Inside the church tower is a small original door and stairs leading to the bell chamber and thence to the battlements. On a fine day, the views around from Firle Beacon, Ouse Valley, Mount Caburn, the North Downs and the Long Man of Wilmington are magnificent. In the churchyard, close to the east wall are graves depicting skull and crossbones, typically Georgian. In more recent times, the author Malcolm Lowry, was buried here. The fine old Yew trees growing in the churchyard were historically used in the making of bows.
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