CHURCH GEOLOGY

Building stones of West Sussex churches

Studying the stones of churches can be a fascinating way of learning about the geology of an area, the history of stone working, and the impact of developments in transport on the choice of stone.

To date, I have recorded the building stones at 207 West Sussex churches, so have some familiarity with most churches in the county.

Apart from one-off church trips, I currently run three full day excursions for Chichester District Museum spread over a period of 3 years (i.e. one trip per year). Other excursions have been run on request. Each excursion includes 5 or 6 churches with transport by private car or arranged lift.

•  Excursion 1 starts at the viewpoint car park on The Trundle hill north of Chichester and then takes in churches from the South Downs to the West Sussex coastal plain following the variation from Cretaceous greensands, through chalk and flint to Palaeogene rocks. First run in 2004, we visited Heyshott, Cocking, Singleton, Boxgrove, Westhampnett and North Mundham.

• Excursion 2 traverses the West Sussex coastal plain from east to west following the variation in Palaeogene and Quaternary rocks. In 2005, this excursion included South Bersted, Pagham, Sidlesham and West Wittering.

• Excursion 3 starts at the viewpoint car park on Duncton Hill and then takes in churches of the Lower Cretaceous rocks of greensand belt to the north of the South Downs. First run in 2006, we visited Burton Park, Selham, Petworth, Egdean and Coates.

It is intended to repeat these trips for Chichester District Museum on a yearly basis as long as there is demand. In 2007, excursion 1 is being repeated but with some variation. After meeting on The Trundle, it is provisionally intended to visit Heyshott, Singleton, Boxgrove, Westhampnett and one of the churches in Chichester. These are subject to confirmation and no clashes with church activities.

Excursion 2 will be repeated in 2008 and Excursion 3 in 2009 (both with minor changes).

Other church geology visits can be arranged on a one-off, half day or full-day excursions. Contact me for further information. Other church visits I have organised for groups have so far included Boxgrove, Singleton, Pagham, South Bersted, Sompting, Steyning, West Wittering, Bosham, Felpham.