Chichester Guildhall
Encyclopedia
Chichester Guildhall is an ecclesiastical building in Chichester
, West Sussex, England. The name is a bit of a misnomer, as the building was constructed as a chancel
by the Grey Friars of Chichester, an Order of Franciscans. The Grey Friars received the land, now called Priory Park
, in a grant from Richard, Earl of Cornwall, in 1269.
The first record of the Church in Priory Park talks of an ordination held by Archbishop John Peckham
, in 1283. This date ties in with the architectural features of the Guildhall. The building is a magnificent example of late 13th century architecture and is one of the few Franciscan churches in England that is still roofed.
The building is an aisleless structure, 82 feet (25 m) by 31 feet (9.4 m) with a height of 42 feet (12.8 m). The western wall was a later addition, leading to the belief that some portion on the nave must have at least been begun. This modification to the building was executed so as to allow the chancel arch to remain visible spanning the whole width of the structure. Symmetrical windows separated by buttresses line the northern and southern sides of the building. The windows have simple chamfers on the outside with no further mouldings.
Chichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
, West Sussex, England. The name is a bit of a misnomer, as the building was constructed as a chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
by the Grey Friars of Chichester, an Order of Franciscans. The Grey Friars received the land, now called Priory Park
Priory Park, Chichester
Priory Park is a public park operated by Chichester District Council. It is situated in the north-east quadrant of Chichester town centre. The park has a rich heritage and is bordered by the Roman City Walls to the north and east of the park and contains Chichester Castle and the Guildhall.The park...
, in a grant from Richard, Earl of Cornwall, in 1269.
The first record of the Church in Priory Park talks of an ordination held by Archbishop John Peckham
John Peckham
John Peckham was Archbishop of Canterbury in the years 1279–1292. He was a native of Sussex who was educated at Lewes Priory and became a Franciscan friar about 1250. He studied at Paris under Bonaventure, where he later taught theology. From his teaching, he came into conflict with Thomas...
, in 1283. This date ties in with the architectural features of the Guildhall. The building is a magnificent example of late 13th century architecture and is one of the few Franciscan churches in England that is still roofed.
The building is an aisleless structure, 82 feet (25 m) by 31 feet (9.4 m) with a height of 42 feet (12.8 m). The western wall was a later addition, leading to the belief that some portion on the nave must have at least been begun. This modification to the building was executed so as to allow the chancel arch to remain visible spanning the whole width of the structure. Symmetrical windows separated by buttresses line the northern and southern sides of the building. The windows have simple chamfers on the outside with no further mouldings.