Saint Peter's Church

About Saint Peter's Church

Saint Peter’s Church is an active Church of England parish church on Station Road in the centre of Cowfold, West Sussex. Set among nearby cottages and screened from the main roads by houses, it remains a focal point of the village. The church is protected as a Grade I listed building in recognition of its architectural and historic significance.

The church existed by 1232, probably serving initially as a chapel connected with Henfield. Its nave and chancel retain details from the early 13th century, although much of the building has a later Perpendicular character. Constructed from dressed stone and rubble, it includes a nave, south aisle, chancel, south chapel, north porch and western tower, with roofs of local Horsham stone slabs. The porch and tower date largely from the late 15th century, while the south aisle was added during the 16th century. A substantial restoration took place in 1876–77. Notable survivals include medieval glass, a 15th-century brass commemorating Thomas Nelond, and the unusual churchyard boundary fence marked with the names of properties once responsible for maintaining it.