Facilities and features
Accessibility
A toilet is situated within the St Mary's Meeting Room annexe and only available if this is in use.
Private parking is close to the church but only available when the church is in use. Otherwise access to the church is 150m from the car park via a foot path.
Dogs are welcome
Our Building
Standing peacefully in the midst of fields close to Chichester Harbour, this small Grade I listed church is of a simple rectangular design dating from the 12th century. It was almost entirely rebuilt in the 13th century when a south aisle was added to the nave. A south porch was built in the 15th century and a vestry and heating chamber erected on the north side of the nave in the 19th century. Although small it contains several
important features. In 2019 a new Meeting Room was completed with kitchen and WC. For further information please go to the website.
Music and Worship
The two bells are dated to the 15th century
Reputedly built as the private organ at Windsor the the Prince Consort. After a period at Littlehampton, it came to Apuldram.
Four Book of Common Prayer services are held each month: Matins on the first Sunday at 11.00 and Holy Communion on the second, third and fourth Sundays at 08.00
Groups, Courses and Activities
Help for Visitors
Copies of a “Guide to the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Apuldram” and “A History of Apuldram” are available at the church.
The church is open from 09.00 to 16.00 from Easter until the end of October. For the rest of the year it is closed except for services. If access is required during these months, please contact the Churchwarden (see website for contact details).
Other Features
St Mary the Virgin lies within the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a tidal estuarine environment, framed by low-lying coastal plain against the backdrop of the South Downs National Park. It is a five minute walk from the church to the harbour to join Salterns Way, a designated cycle and foot path running from Chichester to the sand dunes of East Head. For further information visit www.conservancy.co.uk
St Mary’s Meeting Room – Apuldram Church and Community Centre
This beautifully designed building, attached to the 12thC Grade 1 listed church of St Mary the Virgin, was opened in 2019. It has an idyllic, peaceful location amongst the fields and close to Chichester Harbour yet is only 3 miles from the centre of Chichester.
The Meeting Room is available to the community for hire, either by regular users or for one-off events. It can accommodate up to 30 people seated or 50 standing. There is a small but well equipped kitchen and a wheelchair accessible WC. The private car park provides ample parking and easy wheelchair access to the Meeting Room.
This is an ideal venue for small groups, business or social, seeking a tranquil situation for meetings, exercise classes, exhibitions or lunches. It is not suitable for late evening events or children’s parties. Please note the minimum booking period is 90 minutes. For further information on availability and rates please contact St Mary’s Meeting Room Administrator via the booking form below, by emailing [email protected]