Historic Icklesham All Saints with St. Nicolas Church are fundraising this weekend, June 21 and 22. An exhibition and sale of art is taking place inside the church along with teas and cakes being served in the St. Nicolas Chapel.
The money raised will go towards adding a much needed loo. The church has managed for centuries without this modern-day facility, but with it being used more and more for events other than, say, Sunday services, it has now become a necessity.
18 artists local to the area are taking part: paintings, ceramics and other arty stuff will be on sale. This is the first time the church has mounted an exhibition, so everyone involved is very excited and look forward to welcoming more than just a flock of visitors over the weekend. It is all in such a very worthy cause.
As well as tempting art, you can enjoy tempting refreshments within a remarkable space that you may want to explore as well while you’re there.
The illustration on the banner displayed at the church is from an original woodcut of Icklesham by Michael Benton (1934-2001).
The history of All Saints with St Nicolas in Icklesham is fascinating, and well worth a visit.
Icklesham means “the home of Icel” and is mentioned in the Saxon Charter of AD 772. The church is dedicated to All Saints which was fairly common in Norman times. It was very likely built shortly after the Norman Conquest and of course in a commanding position with views to the north and south and access to the sea.
The name was changed to St Nicolas by Henry VIII and is associated with protecting mariners: very apt, as Icklesham was coastal at the time.
In common with many churches, its architecture has been changed and altered over the years. The nave, arches and pillars are impressive and made of Caen stone which shows the link between France and England at the time. Among many other interesting features is the “weeping chancel” as the church almost feels askew but the asymmetry is to represent the agony of Christ on the cross as he lent to one side.
If you look carefully at the pillars, there are some crosses carved into them. They are believed to have been carved by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
The Chapel of St Nicolas was built in 14th century and is known as the Manor Chapel as historically it was maintained by the Lord of the Manor.
Image Credits: Vivienne Challans .