Inspecting Architect for Restoration of Offham’s Historic Church
Cowan Architects has recently taken over as the Inspecting Architect for the historic Church of St Peter, in Offham, East Sussex. St Peter’s is a very fine mid-19th Century building with local, light-pebble flint walls, shingled spire, and clay tile roofs. It was commissioned by the Shiffners of Coombe House and designed by Ewan Christian. Of particular note is the seven-sided apse , the gentle curve of which is said to echo the curves of the South Downs. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Chichester, Bishop Gilbert on the 21st July 1860 as the ancient parish church at Hamsey was then in a poor state of repair, isolated and far from the homes of most of the parishioners.
The building has been well maintained, however historic churches often require ongoing care, and Cowan’s Conservation & Heritage team is beginning to investigate lime plaster and mortar repairs to alleviate damp issues internally, as well as general stonework and timberwork repairs.