Coombes Church

The parish of Coombes existed, with the name Cumbe, at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, when it supported two manors and their associated settlements. Coombes was the larger at the time but neither it nor Applesham (the other hamlet) was significant. The settlements, high on the South Downs above the River Adur's floodplain, may have had their origins in a pair of Saxon-era estates. The Domesday Book recorded 31 people in Coombes and a further 16 in Applesham. (although it has been attributed to John the Baptist), existed at the time of the Domesday Book. At that time it was a simple flint building in three parts: chancel, nave and a tower at the west end. The building was added to…

]] Coombes parish church is a simple building of two parts: the chancel at the east end and the nave to the west, linked by chancel arch 30 in thick. An ancient crucifix was found in the churchyard in 1877, when it was moved into the church. The age of the brick and stone font is not known. It may be 19th century but other sources propose more ancient origins.

Coombes Church was listed Grade I by English Heritage on 12 October 1954. Such buildings are defined as being of "exceptional interest" and great national importance. As of February 2001 it was one of seven Grade I listed buildings and 119 listed buildings of all grades in Adur District. A Said Mass is celebrated on selected Sundays with occasional Evensongs to celebrate the agricultural year. (See Website) Worship is in the Anglo-Catholic style. The ecclesiastical parish covers an almost entirely rural area of 1280 acre. Its boundaries are defined by the River Adur in the east and ancient field and estate boundaries to the south, west and north.