• Forestside 2

Christchurch, Forestside, was built in 1852 by Charles Dixon, a wealthy Victorian philanthropist and the owner of nearby Stansted House, to serve his estate workers and the village of Forestside. The parish was formed from parts of Stoughton and Up Marden, and has now been combined with them again as part of the parish of the Octagon. The church is of flint masonry with Caen stone dressings. The East window is a Jesse Window with an unusual dragon in the bottom right hand corner, whose origin is unknown. The heads on the chancel arch are a young Queen Victoria and a Bishop of Chichester, possibly St Richard. The adjoining school has been closed for many years and is now a private house.

More information about the history and architecture of this church can be found on the Sussex Parish Churches website

Memorial Index

Residents produce a comprehensive guide to the churchyard. This is a searchable listing by name of all those buried in the churchyard with memorial images and location information. Please click here to access the Forestside Burial and Memorial Index

Forestside interior 1
Forestside 2(1)
Forestside in snow
Forestside pew
Forestside stained glass
Address: Forestside
Rowlands Castle
West Sussex
PO9 6EE
United Kingdom
Additional Information:

What Three Words:   ///revives.destroyer.crockery

To contact the local warden for this church, please email Carol Stamper, Octagon Churchwarden on cstamper@theoctagonparish.org.uk

 

Weddings, Funerals and Special Services in the Church:

Please click here for information relevant to all our churches

Further information specific to Christchurch:

Seating Capacity
The church can seat 80 people comfortably with a maximum of 100.  

Flowers
Plans for flowers will need to be discussed prior to installation, whether you are arranging the flowers yourselves, or employing a professional florist. 

Bell
The church has one bell which can be rung if required. 

Organ
There is a pipe organ in the church. 

Car Parking and Access
There is no car park associated with the church. Cars are parked on the road alongside the church or by prior arrangement at the village hall. Cars should not be parked on the grass verge or on the shingle drive in the churchyard, which belongs to a private residence.
Access to the church is via a shingle path. 

Facilities
There are no toilets available at the church or in the village.

 

Sign up to receive weekly news from our churches

Sign up to receive updates by email from our Rector and the Octagon Parish, including times for church services

Find out how