A rare dedication rebuilt by Arthur Blomfield, this small Anglican parish church combines medieval foundations with Victorian Gothic Revival architecture and distinctive structural flourishes.
At a glance
St Leodegar’s serves the hamlet of Hunston in the Chichester district. The dedication to St Leodegar is exceptionally rare in England and appears nowhere else in Sussex. The church blends surviving medieval elements with substantial 19th-century reconstruction, resulting in a stone structure of considerable architectural ambition for a rural parish.
History
A church has stood on this site since the 12th century, though its condition deteriorated over centuries. In 1885, the ruinous medieval structure was dismantled and comprehensively rebuilt by Arthur Blomfield, one of the Victorian era’s most prolific ecclesiastical architects. Rather than erasing the past entirely, Blomfield retained certain old features within the new framework—a gesture toward continuity in an age of wholesale restoration.
What you see
The rebuilt church is executed in Early English Gothic Revival style, rendered in stone. Despite its modest rural location, the building was constructed on a generous budget that allowed for elaborate structural features uncommon in small parishes. Most distinctive is the double belfry, a striking vertical feature that dominates the composition. Architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner, however, found the design wanting—a reminder that even well-intentioned Victorian restoration could provoke critical reservations.
Cultural significance
The church exemplifies the Victorian approach to medieval inheritance: respectful enough to preserve fragments of the original, yet confident enough to rebuild comprehensively. The rarity of its dedication adds layers of local and ecclesiastical interest, marking Hunston as a place distinct within Sussex’s religious geography.
Key facts
- Country: United Kingdom
- Location: Hunston, Chichester district, West Sussex, England
- Coordinates: 50.8065, -0.7742
- Original construction: 12th century
- Rebuilt: 1885 by Arthur Blomfield
- Architectural style: Early English Gothic Revival
- Notable feature: Double belfry
Practical information & getting there
St Leodegar’s Church is an active parish church open to visitors. As an Anglican place of worship in a rural hamlet, access is best arranged in advance; check locally for service times and visiting information.
Sources & resources
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