St. Mary's church and the parish of Sompting
Welcome to the parish of Sompting in West Sussex. There are two Anglican church buildings in our parish, including the historic church of St. Mary’s on the edge of the South Downs.
St. Mary’s Church, which dates back over 1000 years, is famous all over the world for its Saxon tower. Not only is the church of great architectural significance, it’s also the home of an active Christian community.
Please click any of the headings on the left-hand side of this page to learn more about St. Mary’s church and the parish of Sompting.
We're currently looking for an Organist and Choir Trainer, so please click here if you're interested in this vacancy.
A message from The Reverend Erika Howard
Come and rest awhile away from the humdrum of your daily life and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this church on the Downs. Over the centuries since Saxon times, it has been a meeting place for the local Christian Family. A place of quiet, stillness, prayer, and worship. Year by year since the early Saxon building, families have gathered to rejoice in the birth of a new baby, to a celebrate a union in marriage, to mourn their dead then to be laid to rest in the churchyard, or for no other reason than to “be” and enjoy God’s presence.
The continuous flow of God’s loving Holy Spirit makes this more than a mere historic monument. If that were so it would have fallen into to ruin long ago. It is soaked in the prayers of the faithful, from those early Saxons and their growing community, the Knights Templar seeking God’s blessing as they went on crusade to the Holy Land, down the through the centuries of believers to this present day. Each and every generation seeking meaning, comfort and guidance and “that something” which is beyond human comprehension, “the mystery of God” .
Week by week the church family in Sompting faithfully continue to meet. The church is always open in the daytime, offering a welcome for all who enter. Come and experience the sacred space in St Mary’s church