The church at the present time is a small and plain flint building, principally in the Early English style,

Mid Lavant Church (St. Nicholas) probably existed before the Norman Conquest. It would then most likely have been a chapel with round-headed windows (a specimen of which remains in the south Wall of the nave) without glass, only shutters to keep out the weather.

Most of the Nave building dates from the 12th. Century. The Chancel was added or rebuilt in the 13th. Century.

The North Aisle, was added and other work carried out by Revd W R Stephens during the Church closure 1871 - 1872.
From the outside the changes to be noted would have been, a new replacement Wooden Belfry containing one bell, dated 1803, a new replacement South Porch and a new West End wall some four feet West of the original, increasing the length of the nave.

Inside changes, would also have been seen.

The Effigy of Lady May , by the Italian trained sculptor John Bushnell. dated from 1676 was removed from its position in front of the Pulpit and put into the May Vault under the Chancel floor, the entrance to the vault then being obscured by a newTriple Arch between the Chancel and Nave.

It is likely, that at this time the new East window in memory of the very short ministry of The Revd J S Pater (1866 - 1869 ) was installed.

The Church, from 1869 and for many years into the 1900s was the main parish place of worship,

The inside of the church (post 1871) would have looked as in the view, lighted by oil lamps, heated by a single solid fuel stove, pulpit on the right, this was made for the church by Mr. Charles Dorrien from panelling taken from Rawmere Manor House.

A manuscript note written in 1897 reads
"Revd Legge, who had been 50 years at East Lavant died in Nov 1879 and the Lavants were joined in to One Beneface by Order in Council, ...........
Mr. Gaisford, who had been 23 years at Tangmere, was persuaded ( rather against his own personel wish ) to under take the Combined Lavants and was instituted Feb 24th 1880.

Meanwhile both the Duke { of Richmond and Gordon } and Mr. Gaisford were under the impression that the understanding was, that St. Nicholas Church was to be closed on Sundays and only used for Weddings and Funerals.

The latter, on coming to Lavant, was greatly distressed to find that such was not the case. (Margin note) 'not from any arrangement with the Bishop ' but from the general wish of Clergy who had worked there'.
But in May 1880 Mr and Mrs Fraser who had fortunately come to live in East Lavant volunteered to undertake all services at St. Nicholas.

This arrangement held until 1895.

The Revd Glennie was made Rector of the combined Lavant Parishes in 1897 and remained in office through the Great War and until 1925.

Modernisation of St Marys with a new pipe organ ( Installed 1895,) and a new heating system drew of most the parish congregation from St Nicholas to St. Marys.

The Revd Selwyn Leighten Bucknel served the Parish from 1925 to 1960

Followed by Revd Edward D K Wood 1960 to 1972. During these two periods there was much consideration given to the possibility of closing St. Nicholas Church.

However a significant number of Mid Lavant congregation maintained services in St. Nicholas up to and beyond WW2, when the church was shut for a short period.

The Revd Keith William Catchpole took over the Parish (1972 to 1983)

It was during this time that a decision was made not to close the church but to convert it into a parish centre.

 Much work was carried out on the church fabric, cleaning, replacing any non working items. Removal of the pews and replacing them with chairs. Removal of the pulpit, and communion rail.

During work on the Chancel floor the builders broke through to the "May family Vault" .
The 1676 Effigy of Lady May which had been placed into the vault in 1871 was found and brought to the surface.

It was found to be in very good condition and is now placed on view in an alcove on the North Wall of the church nave.

The Church is now used for Services ( generally the less formal services, see our home page for details ) and for other Parish functions.

Much has been written with respect to the May Family and the Lady May Effigy during the time it was under ground, this will be on line at a later date, but if you need more details now, we can send you a file of information on receipt of an E-mail.
 

The heart rending story of The Revd Pater and family will also be added to these pages at a later date, again if you need information now, an E-mail will enable us to send you a file of detail.

To close this page I will invite you to read the inscription on a 1681 slab set In the floor in the centre of the nave thus :-