Holy Trinity Church, Rudgwick

Holy Trinity Church stands in the village of Rudgwick in West Sussex. The oldest part is a 12th-century font carved from local Horsham stone. The tower was added in the 13th century, though some of its stone came from an earlier church that once stood on the same spot. Parts of the south wall may also belong to that earlier building. Most of the rest of the church dates from the 14th and 15th centuries, with a Victorian vestry added later. The whole structure is recognised as a Grade I listed building. The church’s origins go back to 1260, when Alard the Fleming secured the right to hold an annual fair on Trinity Sunday. This grant helped establish the church’s place in the community. In 2023 the graveyard was enlarged after the Bishop of Horsham consecrated the new ground. The church remains an active place of worship within the Diocese of Chichester. Inside, visitors find a simple nave with a 12th-century font at its centre. The tower’s 13th-century arches frame views of the surrounding countryside. The south wall, possibly the oldest surviving part, adds a sense of continuity. The Victorian vestry provides a contrast in style. The churchyard, now expanded, holds generations of local families.