church tour

The Chancel

Architecturally and visually this, together with the Chantry Chapels, is the most splendid part of the church. In the Early Decorated style, it was built c. 1277 by Sir William de Odingsells. It is similar to that at Long Itchington and, most remarkably, to that at Buxted near Uckfield in Sussex where many of the details are almost identical.

The chancel is dominated by the great east window the tracery of which shares with other windows the unusual detail of double cusps. The stained glass, made by William Wailes of Newcastle upon Tyne, has a jewel-like brilliance. The lower half (1845) depicts Our Lord with the Evangelists and their symbols, and the upper half (1867) depicts the Greater Prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

Six wooden statues (1951) surmount well carved original corbels. As patron saint, that of St. Alphege stands traditionally on the south side of the high altar. The corbels were sketched by John Constable who stayed twice at Malvern Hall.

The notable communion rails date from 1679 and are a reminder of changing patterns of worship over the centuries. Sixteenth century reformers destroyed the old altars and replaced them with communion tables lengthwise in the centre of the chancel. In the seventeenth century, by Archbishop Laud's order of 1630, the table or altar would have been restored to the east wall and it would be protected from abuse by dogs and others by wooden rails.
The Churchwardens' Accounts record in 1746 the purchase of the high altar for £1 16s. 0d.
The priest's door in the south wall had on its outer side a sanctuary knocker which gave right of sanctuary to a fugitive.
Note also: the reredos, formerly the screen entrance to St. Katherine's Chapel, the simple stone sedilia and the piscina, once ornate and now mutilated. In the window above the piscina is portrayed Rector Archer Clive and his family 'In memory of kind friends and happy years'.