St Mary's Church, Slaugham

St Mary’s Church stands in the village of Slaugham, part of Mid Sussex in West Sussex. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, it was later restored in the Victorian era and now serves a wide rural parish. The church once controlled the church in Crawley when it was still a small market town. A 17th-century private chapel, the Covert Chapel, was added by a local family and contains fine memorials. English Heritage has given it a Grade II* listing for its architectural and historical value. The church’s long history is reflected in its changing structure over the centuries. The oldest parts, including the north wall and font, date from the early 12th century. The tower was begun in the late 13th century, and the chancel was rebuilt in the early 14th. The Covert Chapel, built in 1613, holds a remarkable memorial to Richard Covert and his family. Victorian restorations by Joseph Clarke in the 1850s widened the south aisle and added a rose window. Inside, the church has a nave with a south aisle and a wide chancel arch. The Covert Chapel features intricately carved stonework and a memorial with figures in military dress. The churchyard is large, with ancient yew trees and old gravestones, including one dated 1615. A lychgate at the north entrance was added in 1903. The building’s varied architecture shows how it grew over time.