Welcome to the Church of St Symphorian , Durrington. The first historical reference of this place is to be found in the Domesday Book. In the reign of William II, the patronage was given to the Monastery of Sele (Beeding)
In Anglo-Saxon times, when Durrington was known as Derentun, there was a small Chapel of plaster and thatch called wattle. In the early 13th Century this was replaced with a building, having a chancel and nave constructed of flint and stone, and probably roofed with Horsham ‘tiles’. This particular style would have been much in keeping with many smaller churches which still survive on the South Downs and coastal plain of Sussex.
Documents survive which suggest that the Chancel was separated from the nave by a rood screen, open in its upper part so that worshippers could share in the Divine Office being performed by the Priest in the Chancel. The Rood Screen was surmounted by a loft, often referred to in medieval documents as a Solar. Its main purpose was to accommodate a few choristers or a small organ.
The steeple of the Chapel was built to carry the bell. This was little more than a raised bell cote above the gable end in a wooden structure. It was built in the western bay of the nave roof, and covered externally with boarding.
Around 1260, the Saxon windows were taken out and the present 13th Century windows were put in.
The church remained much the same, with regular acts of worship, until the 1660’s when the parish became caught up in the Civil War. The Rev. William Stanley was an ardent politician on the Royalist side whilst most of his parishioners were Cromwellians. Around 1643, the Chapel was partially demolished by the inhabitants of Durrington who naturally did not see eye-to-eye with their incumbent. This is a somewhat drastic way to register your displeasure towards the local Vicar! Things went from bad to worse in the years that followed, it was suggested that the Vicar neglected his duties and that he reviled the people of Durrington and spoke maliciously to them when they came to worship, and the poor were constrained by threats and fears.
By 1677 the Chapel was declared “unusfull for the performing of Divine Service” having been in decay for some time, and that the “Ruines thereof was chiefly occasioned by souldjers of the late warrs”. Despite attempts to repair the Chapel, it was eventually agreed that the people of Durrington be allowed to worship, baptise and bury at Tarring Church. On 24th January 1680, with the agreement of both parishes, the then Dean of Chichester, Dr. Thomas Briggs, took steps to unite the Chapelry to Tarring Church. Records show that the Chapel was still occasionally used for many years.
In 1890, the Rev. Canon Henry Bailey, Rector of Tarring, erected a small Mission Room at his own expense and left it upon trust to the inhabitants of Durrington for the performance of Divine Service. It was built adjoining the east wall of the ruined Chapel and afternoon services were held every Sunday at 3.30pm and Holy Communion at 8am on the last Sunday of the month.
Towards the latter part of the 19th Century, thoughts turned to restoring the Chapel and the funds began to be raised. Unfortunately the fundraising came to an end when the Rev. Dr. Springett, Rector of Tarring and the person leading the fund raising effort, was moved to Brixton in 1898.
When extensive repairs were needed to the Mission Room, enthusiasm was rekindled for the restoration work. However, it was not until 14th July 1914, when the “Ancient Township and Chappelry of Durrington was constituted as a separate Ecclesiastical Parish” that things began to happen. Rev. William Edward Dixon Penfold was appointed Vicar of Durrington and during his early ministry work began on the restoration of the church.
Part of the old building was incorporated in the present one, using the foundation of the north wall, and part of the south and west walls and extending the nave. The dedication of the original church is unknown but on 13th October 1915 the new church was dedicated to St. Symphorian and was consecrated on 15th December 1916. The chancel and vestries were added and the final work was dedicated by Bishop Bell on 3rd September 1941.
There have been a number of historic events in St. Symphorian’s:-
Petertide 1986, Bishop Colin of Horsham ordained four men to the priesthood. This was the first ordination service to be held in this church.
In 1987, one of the services to admit women to Holy Orders took place here when eight women were ordained Deacon by Bishop Colin of Horsham.
Over the years many faithful souls have worked to maintain and improve the centre of Christian witness in Durrington. There is much to thank God for and so our celebrations are as much about the Church as a people as the building. May the love and devotion which has brought us thus far continue in the years to come.
