St Michael And All Angels, Offham

This is the church where Frances and Rebecca De Critz (Omer) are buried. I doubt that it has changed very much since their time.



Here is the chancel. The bottom end of Rebecca's ledger stone is visible in front of the altar. You didn't get buried in such a place of honour unless you were wealthy and socially important. The De Critzs- an immigrant artisan family- had made it good.

I like how the edges of the window embrasures have been left rough and unplastered, with the stone- probably Kentish ragstone- showing through. The building has been tidied up, but not so much as to disguise its age. The effect is rather pleasing I think.