Ifield, West Sussex

St Margaret's Church

The sun was shining in the wrong direction to get a good photograph of the church from the Lych Gate at the east end of the church yard.



St Margaret's Church has a chancel, wide nave with a narrow clerestory above and narrow three-bay aisles on the north and south sides, a tall tower (topped with a spire) at the west end and a porch on the north side. The nave, chancel and chancel arch all date from the 13th century.



The chancel arch dates from around 1300.



Above the altar is an ancient dove which it is thought may come from the earlier wooden church.



Under the eastern arches of the nave there are two worn recumbent effigies on tombchests, traditionally said to be Sir John de Ifield and his wife, Margaret. The knight, his feet on a lion, dates from about 1340 and the woman is about ten years later.



A piscena near the entrance at the north porch. It contains three Holy Oils.

There are three kinds of sacred oils, all of which signify the work of the Holy Spirit and symbolize it in that oil "serves to sweeten, to strengthen, to render supple" (Catholic Encyclopedia). The three holy oils are:

The Oil of Catechumens ("Oleum Catechumenorum" or "Oleum Sanctum") used in Baptism along with water, in the consecration of churches, in the blessing of Altars, in the ordination of priests, and, sometimes, in the crowning of Catholic kings and queens.

The Holy Chrism ("Sanctum Chrisma") or "Oil of Gladness," which is olive oil mixed with a small amount of balm or balsam. It is used in Confirmation, Baptism, in the consecration of a Bishop, the consecration of a various things such as churches, chalices, patens, and bells.

The Oil of the Sick ("Oleum Infirmorum"), which is used in Unction http://www.fisheaters.com/holyoils.html




The font is by far the oldest feature of the church, dating from the late 12th (1180) century. Made of local marble (known as Sussex clunch), it has an intricately carved stem flanked by four columns topped with delicate leaf-like capitals and roll mouldings, ornamentation uncommon on a Norman-era font. Its form is otherwise typical: a deep square bowl supported by a wide central column and four narrower shafts.



This early nineteenth century water colour shows the church with an earlier timber bell turret.



The painting above shows a small timbered west turret. In 1847 a new tower was built but this was replaced again in 1883 by a tower with a pyramid spire at the west end. The tower has plain lancets and is rendered like the rest of the church.



The three tall lancet windows on the lower portion of the tower depict the Resurrection, Crucifixion and Ascension of Jesus Christ respectively.