Church of St Andrew by-the-Ford, Ford

This is a wonderful little church that I didn't know existed until we found it as a resting place for my baby grandson in 2004. My beloved sister is now at rest next to him. It is so quiet and peaceful, a beautiful setting to sit and ponder over fond memories. I congratulate the verger and his helpers who keep this so nice.

And yet English Heritage says it was built in Norman times.

Just the place for peace and quiet. Well defined by dmj previously…he does write really good reviews.
It doesn’t take long to go through Ford and it seems to be known by its prison rather than other lovely sites in the area.
St Andrews is one of those…..as is The Ship and Anchor. Take the time to visit both. You will not be sorry!!

I love the little church in the field. I spent my childhood in Ford, the daughter of a prison officer. I went to Yapton C of E primary school. The field was then a cow field and the church wall was pretty ramshackle. there were only six services a year then, once a month starting at easter and ending with harvest festival. one of the teachers from my school would play the music for the service. on the friday befor each service the teacher would ask the children from ford to meet at the church after shcool. We would sweep and dust and we all took great pride in helping to clean the little church. When I grew up, I married a soldier and left the area. Strangely enough, my soldiers birthday was on st Andrews day, 30th november. On retireing from the army we bought our house at Ford and I can once again see the little church in the field from my garden. My daughter is expecting my first grandchild in a couple of weeks time and I really hope we can have the christening at St Andrew By The Ford. Sadly, my husband passed away a year after we moved to Ford at the tender age of 41. Having the christening at St Andrews would feel like a little bit of him would be there with us.

This church is so beautiful my niece is buried here it's a lovley resting place for little one's who have gone. so peaceful to sit and remember them.

pretty church, lovely setting. tiny quaint church from Saxon days. would be beautfiul for wedding or christening

Ford has a tiny church of Saxon origin, at the end of a small gravel path, close to the bank of the River Arun and surrounded by a copse of trees. It must have been a lovely spot before the coming of the railway, the main road and Ford Open prison. But walking up the gravel path, it is still possible to imagine yourself in a different time.

The church is a simple, two-cell structure, with a nave and chancel, and a porch added in 1637 in the Dutch style. The interior is dark - especially so since there is no electricity here (they is a small generator to provide limited lighting for the choir). It is dominated by the Norman chancel arch, which has mouldings with a simple X-shape decoration. The walls are pierced by small Norman windows, although the Chancel has a fine decorated window of about 1320. In the vestry are the remains of a Saxon arch, dated from around the turn of the 10th-11th centuries.

The walls show traces - although very indistinct - of extensive wall paintings. Those above the chancel arch show the last judgement, with the remains of devils (their feet, actually) forcing the damend into the mouth of a great red beast. A picture by the doorway helps interpret the remains.

On the west wall is a depiction - again, fragmentary - of the Garden of Agony, with two dragons. The paintings are thought to date from around 1320. It is a great pity they cannot be restored further.