St Mary's Church, Glynde

St Mary’s Church stands in the quiet village of Glynde in East Sussex. It is a Grade II* listed Anglican church built in the 1760s by Richard Trevor, who served as Bishop of Durham. The church replaced an earlier medieval building that had fallen into disrepair. Richard Trevor’s family home, Glynde Place, sits just beside the church. The new church was designed by Sir Thomas Robinson, who had worked on Trevor’s Bishop’s Palace in County Durham. John Morris, a builder from Lewes, carried out the construction. The church is worth visiting for its elegant Palladian style, inspired by Sir Thomas Robinson’s travels in Italy. It replaced the old church in stages between 1763 and 1765. Newspapers at the time praised its neat design and decent ornamentation. The building’s flint walls and Portland stone pediment give it a distinctive appearance. Inside, the rectangular space and coved ceiling reflect Robinson’s architectural vision. A west-end gallery was added in 1841 to increase seating. Visitors find a calm interior with box pews and a communion table set in a wall recess. The coat of arms of Richard Trevor appears above the west door. An open belfry holds a single bell above the pediment. The church’s simple, rectangular shape and classical details create a dignified atmosphere. Glynde Place, the Trevor family home, overlooks the church from nearby. The contrast between the old village setting and the refined 18th-century building makes it a place of quiet interest.