The Octagon Parish

Welcome to the Octagon Parish 

In mediaeval times, an octagon was considered to be halfway between a circle (God) and a square (earth). It was the place where heaven and earth came into contact. That is why pulpits and fonts are often octagonal in shape. 

The Octagon Parish is situated at the western end of Sussex between Chichester and Petersfield and within the South Downs National Park. This rural community consists largely of farmland and is made up of the villages and hamlets of Compton, Forestside, Up Marden, West Marden, North Marden, East Marden, Racton, Stansted, Stoughton and Walderton. 

The Octagon contains eight uniquely beautiful churches, many of them several hundred years old, seven of which are still open for public worship. You can see them in these pictures. For more information about the churches, click here, or use the links above to find out about life in our villages. 

Our forthcoming services are shown below.