It is probable that this hill, crowned by the ancient church of St. Peter, was once the site of an Iron Age fort. Pagan Saxon tribes settled this area late in the late 5th century. Pevensey (Adredesceaster) fell to the Saxons in A.D. 490; St. Wilfrid, Bishop of Northumbria, arrived in the land of the South Saxons in A.D. 681, to convert the pagan tribes to Christianity.

Less than a century later a church was endowed on this hilltop by Offa, King of Mercia, the exact date of this endowment being August 15, 772. On the wall of the tower arch can be seen a copy of this charter, written in a mixture of Latin and Old English. The bounds of the land, which formed the endowment, can still be traced today. It was only as late as the 1950’s that the last parcel of this land was sold.

During the 300 years of Saxon history, there may have been more than one church on this site. Surviving Saxon work in our Church is sealed behind plaster on the walling between the Norman arches which stand at the western end of the nave. This herring-bone work was uncovered during the Victorian restoration/enlargement of St. Peter in 1878.

The Saxon Church was about 40 feet long by 20 feet wide, measuring from the tower step to the point where the metal bar crosses the Nave roof. The year 1086 saw the first Norman additions to the small Saxon church, with the building of the Tower. Substantially the same tower that we say today. It was originally a couple of feet lower, and had no windows. At the same period, the Saxon walls were pierced north and south, meaning that the walling and arcades between the arches are older than the round-topped Norman arches which supported them. Porches were added on both sides.

On the south tower wall, in a glass case is the only other Saxon survivor – A reliquary lid. It is said to have been carved in some Northumbrian monastery early in the 7th century, certainly of north country stone, it was probably brought south by St. Wilfrid, with relics of some Saint. It was presented to St. Peters for its consecration in 772. Such relics in a suitable box were considered necessary in those days for a proper consecration. There is a theory, but nothing more, that the relics could have been those of Oswald, King and Martyr of Northumbria, who died fighting against the pagan King Penda of Mercia. The battle took place near Oswestry, which means “Oswalds Tree”. In welsh this town is Croesoswallt, or “Oswalds Cross”, tree and cross meaning the same thing.

It is interesting to note that near here, at Hooe, there is an ancient church, dedicated to St. Oswald, which may owe its origins to evangelising by secular clergy based at Bexhill. Anyway, our reliquary lid was found under the floor within the old Saxon church boundaries, during the Victorian restoration of 1878-80.

Also on the opposite wall of the tower, we have an old grave-slab dating from the 12th or 13th century, found at the same time as the reliquary lid. It marked the grave of either a crusader or of an unknown benefactor of that time. Also in the tower is our font, made of Derbyshire marble on a base of winkle, or “Sussex Marble”. This is an exact 19th century copy of the original Saxon font, whose well worn remains have long since vanished. The font cover includes carvings of fish and frogs. High above, on the North tower wall, is the old minstrel-gallery doorway, dating from around c.1450. Nowadays, it allows access to the bell tower (bell chamber)

As time went on, around 1150, north and south isles were added (not to present dimensions) giving rise to six pillars and four arches, which are with us today. Processional arches in the tower were cut; processions kept to consecrated ground, so the position of these arches suggest that a public road or track ran outside the towers west door at the time. The tall eastern arch of the tower was cut in about 1215, around the time King John sealed the Magna Carta.

Bishop Neville of Chichester did away with the old Norman Sanctuary and build a 40 foot Early English style Chancel, including a priests door on the south side and 4 lancet windows. Around 1300, a north doorway was added. Later this was moved to the entrance to the choir-vestry area in 1907. The small nave aisles were lengthened by one bay north and south, the pointed-style “gothic” arches indicating this.

Small Chapels were added to the sides of the chancel between 1425 and c. 1450. The one on the south side has gone; the opposite one was endowed by Chantry Farm, whose old farmhouse was formally the rectory. This chapel survived the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, which finished off many such Chantry chapels. However it fell into disrepair, until late in the 16th century. At this time the then rector, Thomas Pye, restored it and turned it into a school, the first Bexhill. Also during the 15th century the minstrel gallery appeared in the east end of the tower. This was used by village musicians who accompanied services until about 1811 when the barrel organ was introduced.

This Barrel organ can still be seen in the modern Lady Chapel. The barrel organ itself was made redundant in 1881 when the first pipe organ was built.

North and South aisle galleries were put in during the 17th century to accommodate parishimers from the growing village. These galleries remained until the 19th century.

We have one surviving medieval window, now in the north aisle. This glass has had a chequered past, was removed from St. Peters in the 18th century by Horace Walpole, but actually found its way back in 1920.

The major restoration and enlargement of St. Peters began in 1878 and continued for some years. This was in the time of Canon Leopold Clark and was in response to (a) the need to halt the decline and dilapidation of the ancient fabric and (b) to increase the size of the church to meet the needs of the growing parish population..

The south aisle was made longer and wider; this meant that the 12th century south wall, south porch and 15th century aisle chapel disappeared. The Chancel was extended by 23 feet; the tower battlements were raised by 2 feet (the flying buttresses were a 15th century addition).

All the old galleries and dormer windows went; the reredos behind the altar, the chancel screen and Lady Chapel screens were added. The tower window stained glass south aisle stained glass, the choir and sanctuary wall, ceiling paintings and the sanctuary “Angel Window” all date from approximately 1878 –1895. The architect for the great restoration was William Butterfield who replaced Ralph Neville’s early 8th century with what we see today; this meant that the 13th century chancel arch had to be moved back one bay to where it is today.

The current north aisle was built in 1907, the prime mover here was Archdeacon Churton; a local butcher put up most of the cost; the congregation was not largely in favour.

Our pulpit dates from around the first world war, and is in memory of Revd. Churton; the lectern is about the same age.

Over the chancel screen is the rood, made by Martin Traveo in 1948. On the North side of the nave is a mural painted by Alan Sorrell in 1951. Between 1959 and 1963 the Chantry chapel pillars, arches and timbers were restored, as were the chancel ceiling paintings. These were treated again in 1996. The choir vestry was built in 1965; its roof and that of the north aisle were renovated in 1998.

Within the last few years, our pipe organ was extensively overhauled and the tower bells were re-tuned and re-hung in a new cage. The old 8 bells were made up to 10 and a beautiful new window added to the Lady Chapel, featuring St. Cecilia, Patron Saint of Music.

The war memorial is in the opposite chapel, the old Chantry chapel as was. Our parks and gardens staff currently maintains the churchyard, which has been closed for burials since the 1890’s. There is a substantial garden of remembrance, used since 1961 for the internment of cremated remains.

Currently there is a long-term plan to protect our windows from decay and vandalism; toughened glass has been put into the choir vestry. External grills and windows bars need renewing and extending.

The list of Vicars/Rectors of St. Peters appears on a board near the south door and is complete back to the 1300’s. A few early names and approximate dates appear, Saxon record were lost long ago.

Stephen Werrett, December 2000. With acknowledgement and thanks to Bill Sharp, who drew up comprehensive history notes in the mid 1980’s.