Introduction
Berwick church is a Grade I listed building of great importance because of its unique 20th Century murals painted during the Second World War by the ‘Bloomsbury Group’ artists, Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Quentin Bell.
A Short History
The site is on a rise in land with panoramic views of the South Downs both to the
east and the west.
As one enters the church one can see through the single window beyond the font the
grassy bank of a barrow (mound) which indicates the pre-
To the right of the font on the lower stones of the tower arch can be seen 14th Century
arrow marks, grooves thought to have been cut by the sharpening of arrows. Archery
practice was made compulsory on a Sunday after church by Edward III. The ‘Westcatts
of Berwick’ are on the Rolls of Archers at Agincourt and ‘Westgates’ still live in
the parish.
The tower was built in 1603 and at that time had a spire. The south aisle whose pillar and arches date back to the 14th Century were also restored at this time.
The 17th Century ‘Parson Nutt Memorial’, (Rector of Berwick 1613-