Steyning is first mentioned in the legend of St Cuthman who is said to have settled here and founded the town's first church sometime before the 9th century, and whose shrine became a resort for pilgrims.
The early history of the town was centred around this church and Church Street was believed to have been the first major thoroughfare of the town. St Cuthman's wooden church has long since gone, and in it's place stands the 12th century Norman St Andrew's Church.
Unfortunately, virtually nothing recognisable survives from the Saxon period: after the Norman conquest, the church came into the care of the monks of Fecamp Abbey in France, who rebuilt the church in romanesque style between the late 11th and mid 12th centuries. The porch was added in the 15th century and the tower in the 16th, but after the dissolution, the Norman chancel decayed and the present chancel is a Victorian addition.
But the nave remains a Norman building of very high quality, which makes a strong, even dramatic impression as you enter. The arcades and clerestory are richly carved, with the typical Norman decorations across the arches and columns of ziz-zag and dogtooth carving, with additional human and animal motifs. The whole scheme is a delight, and is preserved in excellent condition.
The present organ in St Andrew & St Cuthman’s church was installed by Walkers in 1968 and replaced a large 3 manual Spurden-Rutt instrument sited in what is now the Cuthman Chapel. The new organ was placed on the west wall of the church making it ideal for leading a congregation and recitals but less so for accompanying the church choir.
The early history of the town was centred around this church and Church Street was believed to have been the first major thoroughfare of the town. St Cuthman's wooden church has long since gone, and in it's place stands the 12th century Norman St Andrew's Church.
Unfortunately, virtually nothing recognisable survives from the Saxon period: after the Norman conquest, the church came into the care of the monks of Fecamp Abbey in France, who rebuilt the church in romanesque style between the late 11th and mid 12th centuries. The porch was added in the 15th century and the tower in the 16th, but after the dissolution, the Norman chancel decayed and the present chancel is a Victorian addition.
But the nave remains a Norman building of very high quality, which makes a strong, even dramatic impression as you enter. The arcades and clerestory are richly carved, with the typical Norman decorations across the arches and columns of ziz-zag and dogtooth carving, with additional human and animal motifs. The whole scheme is a delight, and is preserved in excellent condition.
The present organ in St Andrew & St Cuthman’s church was installed by Walkers in 1968 and replaced a large 3 manual Spurden-Rutt instrument sited in what is now the Cuthman Chapel. The new organ was placed on the west wall of the church making it ideal for leading a congregation and recitals but less so for accompanying the church choir.
Brian Sawyer (organist)
Apart from the usual tuning and maintenance, no major work has been carried out on the organ since 1968 and a few years ago it was becoming apparent that some remedial work was needed to keep the instrument in good working order. In 2009, F H Browne, the present carers, undertook a clean and overhaul which required the organ to be completely dismantled. The console was taken to Browne’s factory in Canterbury where all the electronics were renewed.
| Reviews of Our Concerts |
|---|
| Our Personalities |
| Other Concerts in Sussex |
| Other Sussex Chorus |
| Steyning |
 |
 |
Page Updated; |
20 November, 2011
|
Copyright @ 2010 BJT |