England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Chichester All Saints

The Parish

The parish of All Saints occupies the southeastern corner of the city of Chichester. The cathedral city of Chichester lies in southwestern Sussex not too far from both the border with neighbouring Hampshire and also close to Sussex' English Channel coastline. The city lies some 62 miles southwest of London and forms the southern terminus of the A286 road which connects it northwards to the capital. Chichester has a compact and previously walled centre which is almost circular and within that centre a number of tiny parishes, All Saints included were laid out. Chichester developed during the Roman period as a fort, Noviomagus, and part of their southern defenses for the newly occupied country. Whilst Chichester grew in imrtance as a regional hub and market during Saxon times it suffered greatly from Danish incursions such that by Domesday times it consisted of scarcely 100 houses. Norman development of both cathedral and castle resumed the regional importance and Chichester grew into a substantial market town through the medieval period. Whilst not of the size of contemporary cathedral cities Chichester remains an important regional market offering specialist services not economic in smaller settlements. The arrival of the coastal railway line connecting Chichester with London boosted the economy and encouraged Chichester's other main economic attraction namely tourism with the preserved old town and cathedral a major draw. Other modern developments included the Chichester ship canal, an ambitious attempt to turn the city into an important port, a project of mixed fortunes given the silting of Chichester Harbour, an area better know for its wildlife than international commerce. Mostly man-influenced drainage takes water to the nearby English Channel. Chichester is sited at around 10 - 15 metres above the sea, All Saints' church being at 13 metres. Chichester's tiny parishes each cover a small area but were often packed with residents each holding, including All Saints, around 300 parishioners. In Domesday times Chichester was fallen on hard times and whilst recorded as an holding of Ear Roger of Shrewsbury its assets were not specifically detailed other than that there was a mill.

The Church

All Saints' church is no longer used for worship having been deconsecrated and is nowadays used as offices. It sits on the northern side of West Pallant. The church has its origins in the 13th century, lancets in both northern and southern sides indicative of this Early English Gothic origin. The church is squeezed into a tiny space between surrounding buildings and consists of a simple, un-aisled space resembling a barn. The western end is topped by a simple bellcote. Its position with no parking immediately close by implies a visit best provided by parking in one of the city's car parks and arriving on foot. The enclosed site does, however, prevent adequate landscape views due to the close proximity of surrounding buildings.