St Mary's, Chithurst

Another grey day in West Sussex, but at least it's been dry. The lovely old Sussex rues [deep wooded lanes] are still running with mud and water. Stopped briefly for tea at the new community shop and café in Milland, a worthy and very attractive enterprise, well worth supporting.

This lovely little 11thC church at Chithurst is thought to be built on a Pagan burial mound overlooking the River Rother, before 1086 when it was entered in the Domesday book. There are not many records about the church, probably the most notable being that in 1291 it was omitted from the Taxation of Pope Nicholas because of its poverty.

It certainly stands in a magical setting with the river curving round the mound, the sound of rushing water clearly audible today. It gives a wonderful feeling of peace and calm, and a sense of ancientness that makes me aware of the long long line of people who have come to pray and meditate here over the years. All the gravestones are too worn to read, but clustered round the old church give the impression of an eager congregation.

It's just down the lane from Chithurst Buddhist Monastery which I've blipped before. I like that the community supports both these places and makes them available for the likes of me to take brief refuge from the hurly burly of life.